RSA Rolls Out Drink Driving Campaign at Summer Concerts and Festivals

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is the official road safety partner for some of Ireland's biggest concerts, festivals and sporting events this summer, bringing vital road safety messages directly to hundreds of thousands of people across the country.

The campaign will see the RSA attend major music, sporting and cultural events throughout the summer months, with a particular focus on raising awareness of the dangers and consequences of drink driving.

A key feature of the RSA's presence at each event will be the FlineBox interactive breathalysers, powered by Dräger alcohol sensor technology. The devices allow people to voluntarily test their breath alcohol level and receive an indication of whether they are above or below the legal limit, along with guidance on when it is safe to drive.

The initiative got underway last night at Malahide Castle at Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and will continue throughout the summer at concerts, festivals and sporting events nationwide.

New RSA research highlights the continuing role of alcohol in serious and fatal collisions on Irish roads. Analysis of surviving drivers involved in fatal and serious injury collisions between 2021 and 2025 found that 384 drivers tested positive for alcohol, representing 7% of all drivers tested. Of those, 169 (44%) were themselves seriously injured. The collisions also resulted in the deaths of 38 people and left a further 264 road users seriously injured.

The research also found that drivers who tested positive for alcohol were more likely to be male, younger and involved in collisions late at night, in the early hours of the morning and at weekends.

Michael Rowland, Director of Research, Standards and Assurance at the RSA, said:

"Summer is a time when people come together to enjoy concerts, festivals and sporting events with family and friends. We want everyone to enjoy themselves - but most importantly, we want them to get home safely.

By bringing the FlineBox service directly to events, we're giving people a simple, practical way to make safer choices before getting behind the wheel.

The reality is that drink driving can have devastating consequences for individuals, families and communities. Our message is clear: if you're drinking, don't drive. Plan your journey home in advance and put safety first."

The RSA is reminding motorists that drink driving remains a serious criminal offence. Drivers caught over the legal alcohol limit face a driving disqualification of between three months and six years, a fine of up to €5,000, and/or up to six months in prison. Refusing to provide a breath sample is also a criminal offence and carries the same potential penalties.

The FlineBox breathalysers will be available at concerts in Malahide Castle and Marlay Park in Dublin, with acts including Katy Perry, Michael Bublé, Lewis Capaldi, The Cure and Florence and the Machine among those performing across both venues. The campaign will also be present at the Galway Races, Dublin Horse Show, Kaleidoscope presented by Glenveagh, All Together Now, Electric Picnic and the National Ploughing Championships.

The role of alcohol in casualty collisions report is published on the RSA website.