Driving in France, new rules

knightstyle

Be aware that from now you must have a breathalyser in the car, as well as a safety reflective jacket and a warning triangle. Plus the use of radar warning devices is prohibited.
Motorcyclists must have a reflective jacket or armbands.

agrinnall

All the articles I have found about this just say that the breathalyser rule is to be introduced in 'Spring 2012', can you point to something that confirms it's now in effect?

Here's one example: http://www.thelocal.fr/1920/20111201/

knightstyle

Here is the official French site for information and it states "in 2012" for these rules, Gendarmes in our area have a supply of breathalysers that they are handing out with warnings that from now you must have one in the car. French friends confirm that the law has not yet been passed so the Gendarmes can only "advise" and not prosecute. Interestingly many say you must have two kits so if you get stopped a second time you still have one to use. Think that for a couple of £ I would have one when driving in France.
http://www.net-iris.fr/veille-juridique/actualite/28790/deploiement-de-radars-et-equipement-obligatoire-des-vehicules-en-ethylotest.php

nickj_2

what will this actually achieve , if you come out of a bar or whatever , your alcohol level may not peak until after you've been driving and have already taken a test to see if you're in the clear . at the end of the day , if you're driving , you shouldn't be drinking, you wouldn't want the surgeon who's going to put you back together after a crash to have had a few too many

Tarry

Thanks for the heads up I channel hop a few times a year so that is quite handy to know.

nearlyrich

I am 100% against drinking and driving myself, it's one or the other, but this seems a bit daft to me, which is the most serious offence drinking and driving or not carrying a breathalyser? What's wrong with the police having their own breathalysers if they think you have been drinking? What about people who don't drink???

Itismehonest

Reports have just come in today – 02/12/2011 that early in 2012, and certainly before the holiday season starts, drivers in France must carry a DIY Breathalyser kit in their cars. The kit is cheap enough at circa £1.20 but apparently there is a stiff on the spot fine for drivers who don’t comply with this new law. The French government is to reduce the amount one can drink and drive, and these kits will supposedly tell you how you fare in that regard.

From http://www.justcampingfrance.co.uk/holidays-france-blog/2011/driving-in-france/new-french-drink-drive-law-in-2012/

Anyone get the feeling this is never going to work?

poe.tuesday

does anyone know where you can get these tests from as we are off to france in the spring?

Itismehonest

I would think that they'd have to be sold on ferries & Eurotunnel (no doubt with an enormous mark up) but maybe Halfords etc. will cotton on to the need when the law is actually passed

knightstyle

You can get the kits on Amazon and ebay for under £4. The Gendarmes are giving out old blow in the bag ones but I can't see any of these for sale. The idea behind this is so that the Gendarmes don't have to supply them. If you test positive you then go to the Police station for a more accurate test. Plus remember that in the UK the reading must be under 0.08 and in France it is lower at 0.05 so even one unit can put you over the limit. The fine for not having one is 17€.

dzug1

nearlyrich wrote: »

I am 100% against drinking and driving myself, it's one or the other, but this seems a bit daft to me, which is the most serious offence drinking and driving or not carrying a breathalyser? What's wrong with the police having their own breathalysers if they think you have been drinking? What about people who don't drink???

The logic may be that if you carry a breathalyser in the car you can check your own breath and refrain from driving if you are over the limit