DRUNKEN pedestrians in St Albans are being targeted by a Christmas campaign aimed at reducing the number of people killed on Hertfordshire's roads.

Hertfordshire County Council's Road Safety Unit, the Crime and Drugs Strategy Unit and The Moor Mill restaurant in Bricket Wood have teamed up to warn people about the dangers of tipsy pedestrians.

Restaurant diners are being given fortune cookies at the end of their meals, advising them to look out for intoxicated pedestrians on their way home. Drinkers will also be able to pick up information leaflets and mirror stickers in Hertfordshire's pubs and clubs warning them about the dangers of excessive drinking.

"In the last five years, more than 250 Hertfordshire residents were hit by vehicles when they were drunk and more than a third of all pedestrians who are killed in road collisions are drunk at the time," said county councillor Stuart Pile, executive member for highways, transport and rural affairs.

"More often than not this is your average Hertfordshire resident with a family and a good future ahead of them who has put it all at risk because their judgement as a pedestrian has been impaired through alcohol.

"People tend to think only of drink-driving as being an issue and don't always realise the danger that pedestrians put themselves in when under the influence of alcohol. This is a significant problem in Hertfordshire.

"Through this campaign we hope to raise awareness of the problem among drivers and pedestrians and ultimately reduce the number of deaths on the county's roads."