By Jonathan Magee
Alcohol was a factor in collisions that killed 38 people and left 264 road users seriously injured on Irish roads between 2021 and 2025, shocking new figures from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) revealed.
The RSA research found that 384 drivers tested positive for alcohol from surviving drivers involved in fatal and serious injury collisions during that period, representing seven percent of all drivers tested. Of those 384 drivers, 169, almost half, were themselves seriously injured in the crashes.
The research also found that drink drivers were more likely to be male, younger, and involved in collisions late at night, in the early hours of the morning, and at weekends.
In response, the RSA has launched a major summer campaign, partnering with some of Ireland’s biggest music, sporting and cultural events to bring road safety messages directly to hundreds of thousands of people nationwide.
A centrepiece of the initiative is the FlineBox, an interactive breathalyser powered by Dräger alcohol sensor technology, which allows people to voluntarily check their breath alcohol level and receive guidance on when it is safe to drive.
The campaign got underway at Malahide Castle at Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds on Wednesday night and will continue at Marlay Park, the Galway Races, Dublin Horse Show, Kaleidoscope, All Together Now, Electric Picnic and the National Ploughing Championships.
RSA Director Michael Rowland said the message was simple. “If you’re drinking, don’t drive. Plan your journey home in advance and put safety first.”
Drink driving carries penalties including disqualification, fines of up to €5,000 and up to six months in prison.