Welsh Assembly Environment Minister Sue Essex leads a launch on Thursday to kick off the seasonal effort to make people think twice about getting behind the wheel after drinking.

I've only had a couple

A typical drinking and driving excuse

This year's campaign is seen as particularly important in the light of provisional figure which show the number of fatalities related to drink-driving more than doubled last year.

The joint campaign between the assembly and the police is aiming to reverse the rise in casulties this year.

During the Christmas period in 2000, there were six deaths on Welsh roads caused by drink-driving - in 2001, initial figures show it had jumped to 13.

The television campaign will use commercials looking at the excuses people give for drinking and driving.

Sue Essex: "amazed" anyone can drink and drive

These include: "I've only had a couple", "I've had a big meal" and "I won't get stopped".

The commercials will appear in English and Welsh and will run throughout the festive period.

Ms Essex is expected to use the launch to express "amazement" that people can justify drink-drinking to themselves, and to urge drivers to take responsibility for their actions.

The launch will take place in Cardiff, where the minister will also present the winners and runners-up of a children's anti-drink-drive poster campaign with their prizes.