New data from the Road Safety Authority reveals nearly half (45%) of people who tested their alcohol levels at Flinebox breathalyser kiosks mistakenly believed they were under the legal limit.
The findings come from an RSA pilot programme, which trialled Flinebox breathalyser kiosks at hospitality locations and events across Ireland over six months.
The initiative aimed to give people real-time feedback on their alcohol levels, helping them make informed decisions before getting behind the wheel.
During the six-month pilot, over 24,000 breathalyser tests and surveys were conducted. The results highlight critical issues:
Sarah O’Connor, Director of Partnerships and External Affairs at the RSA, said: “We are urging drivers not to rely on guesswork when it comes to alcohol and driving. This data shows that many people wrongly assume they’re under the limit when they’re not - putting themselves and others at serious risk.
“We introduced the breathalyser kiosks as an education measure to help drivers get a clear, scientific measure of their alcohol levels. The pilot made it clear that people struggled to understand their own level of impairment. But the real message is simple: if you have a drink, don’t drive. The safest option is to plan ahead, arrange alternative transport, and never take a chance behind the wheel.
“This data is a stark reminder that our perception of how alcohol affects us is often flawed. While social acceptability has been on the rise up to 2024, the RSA’s events teams found the conversations it sparked among peers around drink driving and its acceptability were also very beneficial. Never ever drink and drive.”
The RSA pilot programme ran from August 2024 to February 2025, with Flinebox kiosks placed in hotels, bars, and event venues across Mayo, Galway, Cork, Limerick, Laois, and Westmeath. The RSA first introduced the technology at Electric Picnic and later at the National Ploughing Championships, and there will be further deployments at major events later this year.
Damien McManus, General Manager of Loughrea Hotel and Spa, said: "The introduction of the breathalyser to our hotel has been incredibly well received. Our guests have been keen to try it out and expressed how helpful it is to help them make informed and responsible decisions about driving. This initiative is a significant step toward enhancing road safety, and we are proud to be part of such a crucial effort."
The breathalyser kiosks use Dräger alcohol sensor technology, providing an accurate alcohol reading within 10 seconds. Users blow into a straw, and the screen displays their result, indicating whether they are under or over the limit. If over the limit, the system estimates how long it will take before it’s safe to drive.
Mary Walsh, Reservations Manager of the Broadhaven Bay Hotel, added: “The Flinebox breathalyser has proven particularly helpful and popular among guests on nights of and the morning after events such as weddings. It's a fantastic initiative which hopefully other hotels will consider for their own premises as a resource for guests.”
*When providing a result, the Flinebox device states that if you are a novice driver with less than two years of driving experience, you are not permitted to drive if your blood alcohol exceeds the lower limit of 0.20 g/l.
