SHOPPERS will be able to experience the effects of drinking and driving this month by trying on a pair of beer goggles.

The goggles imitate the visual impairment caused by both alcohol and drugs.

The wearer becomes disoriented and loses their sense of balance.

Shoppers in Northallerton, Thirsk, Bedale, Stokesley and Easingwold will be asked to try them on and then manoeuvre a remote control car as part of Hambleton's annual pre-Christmas road safety campaign.

Simon Gibson, group manager for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and a member of the district's community safety partnership, said: "These beer goggles are a fun way of getting a serious point across - targeting people who may not take notice of other approaches.

"The drink drive campaign plays a key part in helping to save lives, especially over the festive season when the danger of having one drink too many is high."

Members of the partnership will also display a simulated car crash.

Nationally, 590 people were killed and 2,350 seriously injured as a result of drink-related incidents last year.

Mr Gibson said: "We don't want to spoil the fun. We want everyone to enjoy the festive season.

"Often people think they are safe to drive when they have had a couple of pints but put on these beer goggles and think again."

The roadshow will be at Northallerton High Street from 5pm to 9pm on Friday, Bedale town centre from 10am to 3pm on Saturday, the Co-op car park in Easingwold from 9am to 1pm on December 9, Tesco car park in Thirsk from 6pm to 9pm on December 10 and Safeway car park in Stokesley from 10am to 2pm on December 16.