'Lack of understanding' about alcohol levels among Electric Picnic goers in Laois
Road Safety Authority handed out 10,000 used free breathalysers
The new free breathalyser stand at Electric Picnic has highlighted a "lack of understanding" about alchohol levels in drink, the Road Safety Authority reports.
For the first time at the 2024 Laois festival, the RSA offered the service and they report that 10,000 picnic goers took up their offer, eager to find out if they were safe to drive home.
"As part of its three-year partnership with Electric Picnic, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) had FlineBox breathalysers situated at four car park stations, with 13% (9,704) of festival goers availing of the opportunity to act responsibly and test their alcohol levels over the weekend.
Sarah O’Connor is Director of Partnerships and External Affairs at the RSA.
"RSA’s presence at Electric Picnic aimed to inform and remind everyone to think before they get behind the wheel. The partnership exceeded our expectations, and we were heartened to see a high level of engagement from so many people who checked that they were safe to drive before leaving.
"Feedback from attendees was extremely positive and we were amazed to hear from festival goers that there was a lack of understanding around the strength of alcoholic drinks and the number of alcohol measures that impact alcohol limit breathalyser readings.
"We look forward to the next two years of the partnership and in building on what we’ve experienced at this year’s event," the RSA director said.
Meghann Scully is a broadcaster and road safety advocate.
"I’m delighted to see the RSA and Electric Picnic collaborate on such an important and potentially life-saving initiative. It is a great way to communicate with a younger audience and to highlight the important issues around road safety and driving behaviours.
The Flinebox use the Drager alcohol sensor technology. The user blows into a straw and the result appears on screen in 10 seconds. The information highlights if the user can drive and, if above the alcohol limit, provides a waiting time before the person can get behind the wheel.
Users of the Flineboxes over the weekend ranged in age from under 18 to over 74 years old with 56% males, 43% female and 1% non-binary. Attendance at the stations was highest on Sunday evening and Monday until lunchtime as people left Stradbally.