WALKING in a straight line may seem like a simple task, but put on a pair of ‘beer goggles’ and it becomes a challenge.

The specially-designed goggles recreate the visual distortion, loss of perception and lack of control caused by alcohol.

They are being taken around schools, businesses and events by the Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership in a bid to prevent drink-driving,

As soon as the goggles were on I could barely see in front of me and I could not judge how far away objects were, making walking from one side of the office to the other a difficult job.

Factor in the artificially heightened confidence, lowered inhibitions and bravado which go hand in hand with drink-driving and you have the fatal concoction which claims so many lives on the roads each year.

I disbelievingly asked how anyone could contemplate getting behind the wheel with their senses so impaired.

Gary Handley, road safety manager at the partnership, said: “This time of the year there is more celebration and parties resulting in a temptation for people to drink and drive.

“These goggles show that you can’t do what you think you can do when you have had a drink.

“There is no way of knowing how much you can drink and still drive safely.

“The easiest thing to do is to make your limit zero.

“If you are driving, don’t drink at all.”

Last year, 69 drivers were arrested for drink-driving during December in Gloucestershire.

Two collisions every single week involved somebody who took the risk of drinking with 31 people receiving fatal or serious injuries.

This year’s campaign Eat, Think, Be Merry is stepping up roadside checks across the county.

Police have already made 31 drink-driving arrests since the campaign started on December 2.

Kevin Roseblade, Inspector for road policing at Gloucestershire Police, said “The message is simple - you can’t know your own alcohol limit so don’t take the risk.

“The only way to be sure you are safe to drive is to have none for the road. “Drinking and driving is a serious criminal offence.

“Motorists who think they can get away with it this Christmas are likely to face the full weight of the law.”