Road safety experts will start their Christmas crackdown tomorrow knowing that accidents linked to drinking and driving are on the increase.

Figures released today showed that the number of Oxfordshire drivers involved in accidents - and subsequently shown to have been drinking - has increased from 68 in 2005 to 93, so far, in 2007. In 2006 the figure was 84.

The disturbing figures come as Oxfordshire County Council's road safety team and firefighters join Thames Valley Police for a campaign in Abingdon's Market Square.

Road safety expert Julie Jones said: "It's bad news that the number of people who give positive breath tests and are involved in an accident seems to have risen.

"Drivers don't seem to understand that how they feel is a totally unreliable indicator as to whether it is safe to drive."

Roger Singer, a tutor on Department for Transport drink drive awareness courses, said: "I'm often staggered that people think they won't get a ban if convicted.

"They are shocked to get a minimum 12-month ban - and that's with a clean licence.

"Loss of the licence is just the start.

"The inconvenience is massive. If you are lucky enough to keep your job, getting to work becomes difficult, you suddenly have a criminal record - and that's something the person will always have to declare."