Annual drink-drive campaign launched

The Government today launches it's Christmas drink-driving campaign - an initiative given greater urgency this year after a worrying rise in fatalities a year ago.

While road deaths at Christmas have fallen from 1,600 in 1976 - when the first campaign was held - to 520 last year, the figure is still regarded as far too high.

As well as posters like the one shown left, last year's hard-hitting TV adverts featuring footage of drinkdriving accidents set to Christmas carols will be re-broadcast with different music.

They had a "powerful effect" on the public, said a Transport Department spokesman.