A CAMPAIGN to keep death off the roads this Christmas is targeting youngsters who drink and drive.

Hounslow Council's road safety team is starting the initiative after shock research from the RAC Foundation revealed that drink-driving rose by 13 per cent in the past year.

The research found that the number of drink-drivers among 20-39-year-olds had risen dramatically in the past 10 years, and that many young drivers underestimate the effects of alcohol on their ability to drive.

More than 25 per cent thought that they could drink between three and five pints of beer and still be within the legal limit and at least 54 per cent thought that between three and five pints of beer would improve their driving skills.

To reinforce the message, posters have been distributed throughout the borough focusing on the inconvenience of being banned from driving.

A spokesman for the road safety team said: "We need to continually remind people that drinking and driving is dangerous. It is extremely difficult to predict how much alcohol you can drink before your blood level reaches the legal limit.

"For some it may be one drink, for others it could be more or less. The safest course is not to drink any alcohol before driving."

Sergeant Ray Semmens, of Hounslow Police, is hopeful that the scheme will dissuade motorists from getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

He said: "We are always keen to catch drink-drivers and have found that a lot of Metropolitan Police anti-drink driving campaigns, particularly around Christmas, have hit home and persuaded people to think first.

"I am confident that the road safety scheme will have positive results and convince more people that drinking and driving is pure stupidity."

For further information about the campaign, contact the road safety team on 8583 5036.