"Don't drive if you're tipsy, buzzed, or Blitzen," says Texas holiday ad campaign

(CBS) NORTH TEXAS - The Texas Department of Transportation's holiday anti-drunk driving campaign is delivering this serious message in a lighthearted way: If your reindeer are a little tipsy, call a cab. 

CBS Dallas reports one ad in the campaign shows Santa Claus looking disgruntled as he catches the reindeer throwing a party and having one too many, so he wisely calls on a line of taxis to pull his sleigh instead.

A slogan of the campaign is, "Don't drive if you're tipsy, buzzed, or Blitzen. Call a cab or get a sober ride home."

Deidrea Samuels, a spokesperson with TxDOT, said the ad was meant to be funny, but it carries a serious message.

"These campaigns are important because they serve as reminders to motorists to let them know that there are other options," she said.

Samuels said there are severe punishments in Texas for drinking and driving. The state has the highest DWI fatality rate in the United States. In 2010 there were 3,024 deaths on Texas roads, 1,102 of which were alcohol-related crashes.

"If you are convicted, a first time DUI offender can face a fine of up to $2,000, you're going to lose your driver's license for up to a year and you can spend up to 180 days in jail," Samuels explained.

The paid media campaign runs through New Year's Day.