Initiative details
We are addressing several key road safety challenges, particularly the high rates of fatalities and serious injuries on Irish roads, many of which are caused by drink driving. Between 1 January and 24 July 2024, there were 109 fatalities on Irish roads, 17 more than during the same period in 2023. Among these, 43 were drivers and 14 were motorcyclists. One of the major factors contributing to these fatalities is drink driving, with research showing that 37% of driver fatalities (from 2015-2019) involved a positive alcohol test.
To tackle this issue, the Government's Road Safety Strategy Action Plan 2021-2024 has outlined a need for targeted public education campaigns addressing the key causes of death and serious injuries, with a focus on high-risk groups. In April 2024, the Irish Government allocated additional funding to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to combat the rising number of road deaths.
As part of this effort, we launched a pilot program featuring the Flinebox breathalyzer kiosks, starting at Electric Picnic, Ireland’s largest music festival. It uses advanced Drager alcohol sensor technology, where users blow into a straw, and the result appears on a screen in just 10 seconds. A disclaimer on the screen makes it clear that the breathalyser’s results are for informational purposes only and don’t have legal force. By making this technology easily accessible in social settings like festivals, we aim raise awareness and encourage individuals to make safer, more informed choices before getting behind the wheel
To tackle this issue, the Government's Road Safety Strategy Action Plan 2021-2024 has outlined a need for targeted public education campaigns addressing the key causes of death and serious injuries, with a focus on high-risk groups. In April 2024, the Irish Government allocated additional funding to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to combat the rising number of road deaths.
As part of this effort, we launched a pilot program featuring the Flinebox breathalyzer kiosks, starting at Electric Picnic, Ireland’s largest music festival. It uses advanced Drager alcohol sensor technology, where users blow into a straw, and the result appears on a screen in just 10 seconds. A disclaimer on the screen makes it clear that the breathalyser’s results are for informational purposes only and don’t have legal force. By making this technology easily accessible in social settings like festivals, we aim raise awareness and encourage individuals to make safer, more informed choices before getting behind the wheel
Initiative date
to
Who was/is your target audience?
Young adults 17-25
Topic
Create awareness
Organisation details
Road Safety Authority
Association
Ireland
Ballina, Co. Mayo
Contact name
Christine Hegarty
Telephone number
0879143104
chegarty@rsa.ie
Website link
Project activities
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
An Garda Siochana - Irish Police force. We linked in with them informing them of what we are doing.
Medical Bureau of Road Safety - We discussed the idea with them before proceeding with the pilot as they are responsible for providing the breathalysers to the Irish Police
Department of Transport - for information purposes
Local Authorities - Also for information purposes and to help us identify locations for the breathalyser kiosks.
Medical Bureau of Road Safety - We discussed the idea with them before proceeding with the pilot as they are responsible for providing the breathalysers to the Irish Police
Department of Transport - for information purposes
Local Authorities - Also for information purposes and to help us identify locations for the breathalyser kiosks.
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
Pilot Deployment: Over 6 month period, a total of 12 Flinebox breathalyser kiosks were deployed across 10 hospitality venues and 2 major national events, enabling the facilitation of 24,941 tests and the collection of 24,871 survey responses. This deployment took place across six counties: Mayo, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Laois, and Westmeath.
Event Integration: Kiosks were prominently featured at 2 major events “Electric Picnic” and “The National Ploughing Championships”. With a combined attendance of over 319,000, these two events alone offered substantial potential exposure, representing almost 6% of the population, and significantly amplified the RSA’s educational messaging around drink driving.
Technology Utilised: The kiosks employed Dräger alcohol sensor technology, delivering accurate BAC readings within 10 seconds.
User Experience: Participants received immediate on-screen results, indicating whether they were under or over the legal limit, along with estimated time until it would be safe to drive if over the limit.
Event Integration: Kiosks were prominently featured at 2 major events “Electric Picnic” and “The National Ploughing Championships”. With a combined attendance of over 319,000, these two events alone offered substantial potential exposure, representing almost 6% of the population, and significantly amplified the RSA’s educational messaging around drink driving.
Technology Utilised: The kiosks employed Dräger alcohol sensor technology, delivering accurate BAC readings within 10 seconds.
User Experience: Participants received immediate on-screen results, indicating whether they were under or over the legal limit, along with estimated time until it would be safe to drive if over the limit.
In terms of implementation, what worked well and what challenges did you need to overcome?
What Worked Well:
Placing the Flinebox kiosks in key locations, such as the car parks at Electric Picnic and near the exit at The National Ploughing Championships, proved to be very effective. These spots targeted drivers directly on their way to and from their vehicles, maximizing engagement. The custom-built structures to house the kiosks were practical and visually appealing, helping the kiosks stand out at large events. The addition of RSA staff and brand ambassadors ensured smooth operations, with two shifts covering the hours from 7am-2pm and 7pm-2am. Offering survey prizes like backstage passes incentivized participation, driving higher response rates.
Challenges Overcome:
A key challenge was the logistics of building bespoke structures at large, remote venues like Electric Picnic and the National Ploughing Championships. The location, in a field in the midlands, made transport and assembly more difficult, requiring extra planning and time. Another challenge was managing staffing needs, as additional RSA staff and brand ambassadors were needed to run the kiosks during peak hours. Additionally, while the kiosks were effective in hotel venues, we found that bars were less suitable for use, as the Flinebox wasn’t utilized as much in those environments. This underscored the importance of selecting the right venue for optimal engagement.
Placing the Flinebox kiosks in key locations, such as the car parks at Electric Picnic and near the exit at The National Ploughing Championships, proved to be very effective. These spots targeted drivers directly on their way to and from their vehicles, maximizing engagement. The custom-built structures to house the kiosks were practical and visually appealing, helping the kiosks stand out at large events. The addition of RSA staff and brand ambassadors ensured smooth operations, with two shifts covering the hours from 7am-2pm and 7pm-2am. Offering survey prizes like backstage passes incentivized participation, driving higher response rates.
Challenges Overcome:
A key challenge was the logistics of building bespoke structures at large, remote venues like Electric Picnic and the National Ploughing Championships. The location, in a field in the midlands, made transport and assembly more difficult, requiring extra planning and time. Another challenge was managing staffing needs, as additional RSA staff and brand ambassadors were needed to run the kiosks during peak hours. Additionally, while the kiosks were effective in hotel venues, we found that bars were less suitable for use, as the Flinebox wasn’t utilized as much in those environments. This underscored the importance of selecting the right venue for optimal engagement.
Evaluation
Please summarise how you have evaluated the initiative’s impact (e.g. social media reach, survey, feedback forms, statistics).
Nearly half (45%) of people who tested their alcohol levels at Flinebox breathalyser kiosks mistakenly believed they were under the legal limit.
During the six-month pilot, over 24,000 breathalyser tests and surveys were conducted. The results highlight critical issues:
• 45% of people who tested over the legal limit mistakenly believed they were fit to drive.
• 64% of those who exceeded the blood alcohol legal limit of 0.50 g/l had said they were going to drive*.
• 77% of those who mistakenly believed they were under the limit had said they were going to drive.
• Young men aged 18-34 were most likely to underestimate their alcohol levels and say they were going to drive.
This data shows that many people wrongly assumed they’re under the limit when they’re not - putting themselves and others at serious risk.
Social media videos were aired during Electric Picnic and National Ploughing Championships. Surveys were completed at some events and are included in this submission.
Powerpoint from Fline which includes the 6 month pilot are also included with this submission.
During the six-month pilot, over 24,000 breathalyser tests and surveys were conducted. The results highlight critical issues:
• 45% of people who tested over the legal limit mistakenly believed they were fit to drive.
• 64% of those who exceeded the blood alcohol legal limit of 0.50 g/l had said they were going to drive*.
• 77% of those who mistakenly believed they were under the limit had said they were going to drive.
• Young men aged 18-34 were most likely to underestimate their alcohol levels and say they were going to drive.
This data shows that many people wrongly assumed they’re under the limit when they’re not - putting themselves and others at serious risk.
Social media videos were aired during Electric Picnic and National Ploughing Championships. Surveys were completed at some events and are included in this submission.
Powerpoint from Fline which includes the 6 month pilot are also included with this submission.
What has been the effect of the activities?
The introduction of the Flinebox breathalyzer has been incredibly well received, with festival-goers and hotel guests appreciating how it helps them make informed, responsible decisions about driving. This initiative has significantly contributed to enhancing road safety by providing an easy, accessible way for people to check their alcohol levels before deciding to drive.
The impact of the pilot was particularly noticeable at major events like Electric Picnic and The National Ploughing Championships, which attracted a combined attendance of over 319,000 people, representing almost 6% of the Irish population. These events offered substantial exposure, amplifying the RSA’s messaging around drink driving.
At Electric Picnic, the RSA made the most of the event's visibility by airing 10-12 x 30-second advertisements on the main stage screen over the course of the weekend. This helped increase awareness of the RSA's presence at the event while reinforcing the importance of responsible drinking and driving.
Overall, the activities have had a positive effect by sparking valuable conversations about road safety and drink driving. The initiative has made it easier for the public to take responsibility for their actions, offering them a simple tool to ensure they can make safer decisions on the road. This has undoubtedly contributed to promoting safer driving habits across the country. Following these events, there were no reported incidents on the roads, indicating the success of the initiative in promoting safer driving.
The impact of the pilot was particularly noticeable at major events like Electric Picnic and The National Ploughing Championships, which attracted a combined attendance of over 319,000 people, representing almost 6% of the Irish population. These events offered substantial exposure, amplifying the RSA’s messaging around drink driving.
At Electric Picnic, the RSA made the most of the event's visibility by airing 10-12 x 30-second advertisements on the main stage screen over the course of the weekend. This helped increase awareness of the RSA's presence at the event while reinforcing the importance of responsible drinking and driving.
Overall, the activities have had a positive effect by sparking valuable conversations about road safety and drink driving. The initiative has made it easier for the public to take responsibility for their actions, offering them a simple tool to ensure they can make safer decisions on the road. This has undoubtedly contributed to promoting safer driving habits across the country. Following these events, there were no reported incidents on the roads, indicating the success of the initiative in promoting safer driving.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
This initiative is a great example of improving road safety because it directly addresses the gap in public understanding about how alcohol affects our ability to drive. Data from the initiative has highlighted that people's perceptions of their own alcohol levels are often flawed, underscoring the need for tools like the Flinebox breathalyser to provide accurate, real-time feedback.
The use of the Flinebox at events and hotels not only increased awareness of drink driving but also sparked important conversations about its social acceptability, which is crucial for shifting public attitudes. By placing the Flinebox in high-traffic areas like hospitality venues and festivals, we made it easy for individuals to check their alcohol levels before deciding to drive. The self-service nature of the kiosks means they require no staff assistance, making them easy to integrate into existing venues, similar to vending machines.
This pilot has proven the effectiveness of such technology in raising awareness and encouraging responsible behavior. As Flinebox breathalysers are now available in Europe and the Middle East, this initiative could be easily adopted by other stakeholders globally, furthering the global effort to improve road safety.
The use of the Flinebox at events and hotels not only increased awareness of drink driving but also sparked important conversations about its social acceptability, which is crucial for shifting public attitudes. By placing the Flinebox in high-traffic areas like hospitality venues and festivals, we made it easy for individuals to check their alcohol levels before deciding to drive. The self-service nature of the kiosks means they require no staff assistance, making them easy to integrate into existing venues, similar to vending machines.
This pilot has proven the effectiveness of such technology in raising awareness and encouraging responsible behavior. As Flinebox breathalysers are now available in Europe and the Middle East, this initiative could be easily adopted by other stakeholders globally, furthering the global effort to improve road safety.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
Yes, we have shared information about the project and its results through various channels. A national press release issued in April 2025 highlighted the research findings from the pilot generating significant media interest both nationally and regionally. This led to radio interviews and widespread coverage, with links to the media articles provided. Additionally, the project’s results were shared with international experts at the Medical Bureau of Road Safety's Evidential Breath Testing Workshop in Dublin on 30th May 2025. The RSA’s international conference on Drink Driving will feature two Flinebox breathalyzers on display on 11th June 2025, and the Flinebox has been showcased at other events like the Road Safety Officers Seminar, award ceremonies, conferences and corporate events.
