RSA to provide self-service breathalysers for Electric Picnic attendees

Eva Osborne

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) will return to Electric Picnic this weekend with the FlineBox resource, a self-service breathalyser powered by Dräger sensor technology, which is the same technology used by An Garda Síochána.

Electric Picnic will again take place in Stradbally, Co Laois, this year from August 29th - August 31st, and the RSA has said the goal of its partnership with the event is to deliver practical and life-saving messages to young people.

The FlineBox service will allow festivalgoers to test their blood alcohol levels and receive clear, judgement-free results before getting behind the wheel:

• No alcohol - Safe to drive;
• Alcohol present but under the limit - Driving not recommended;
• High alcohol - Over the legal limit, do not drive.

FlineBoxes will be available throughout the weekend in the campervan, red, and yellow car parks, and remain open into Monday morning to support those driving home.

Chief executive of the RSA, Sam Waide, said: “Electric Picnic is a celebration of music and community – and we want everyone to enjoy it safely and get home safely.

"By bringing innovative tools like the FlineBox directly to festivalgoers, we’re empowering people to make smarter choices about drink driving.

"This partnership is part of our new strategy to connect with younger audiences and remind them that every journey matters – theirs, and everyone else’s on the road.”

The RSA is also reminding drivers to:

• Watch out for vulnerable road users, especially at night;
• Take extra care the morning after – alcohol can remain in your system well into the next day;
• Manage fatigue by remembering to stop, sip, and sleep.