Breathalysers All motorists driving in France will need them from July 2012

Don't the French Police have any then?

 

The new law is designed to cut down on drink driving by ensuring that every motorist has the ability to test themselves at the roadside before getting behind the wheel.
Unless you're too piddled to remember...

 

Read about this a few months ago, another dubious imposition on drivers in France.
If you are going to drink and drive I don't think a cheap (possibly inaccurate) kit will stop many French driving home. My experience is that outside major towns the French tend to not pay too much attention to the drink driving limits (which are about half the limit in UK I believe).
In major towns and cities it may well be a different case, with a greater chance of getting caught, but the public transport system is generally pretty good and cheap.
To be honest I don't think it is aimed at British tourists but we will have to comply anyway, and at a couple of quid a throw it ain't much compared to the cost of fuel.

 

I only learnt of this last weekend myself....funnily enough from two navy old boys in my local. One of them has a camper van and visits France a lot. Apparently from July 1st 2012 if you are pulled over by the police they ask you to breathalyse yourself.

The Local - Government confirms new breathalyzer law

If you are unable to breathalyse yourself you are automatically subject to an "on the spot" fine (I was first told it can be up to 1000 euro but according to various articles it appears to be 11 euro) and then the police breathalyse you themselves.

Just another scam for penalising the innocent motorist yet again. Please be aware of this if you intend to drive in France after July 1st. The eurozone fleeces enough of our hard-earned as it is.

 

If you don't like the french law Don't go. A good heads by Owen up for people who did not know! I did not know and might be going though France later this year. If some French guy came here and broke one of our laws you would not here the end of it.

 

I don't think the Wehrmacht had much regard for French law but it didn't stop them.

Just to add you can buy a pack of 2 compliant breathalysers for a fiver from Halfords. I dare say the manufacturers have some sort of convenient "agreement" with the French government.

 

Can a mod delete this post. Double post.

 

I don't think the Wehrmacht had much regard for French law but it didn't stop them.

Just to add you can buy a pack of 2 compliant breathalysers for a fiver from Halfords. I dare say the manufacturers have some sort of convenient "agreement" with the French government.

And your proof is? Drink driving is no joke. I believe (think you are saying) from what you are saying is that you beleve the the French government are tying making money with a convenient "agreement" from it? Am i wrong or is that what you are suggesting? Plz BottyWWFC clarify what you are tying to say?

 

Apparently a twin pack of the approved breathalysers are available from French supermarkets priced at two Euros which will be far cheaper than UK sourced ones.

No doubt the AA and RAC will be geared up to sell them at the ferry ports at inflated prices with the warning that sanctions will be taken against defaulters found out at the French ferry ports.Cannot see that the checks for possession of the gear at French ferry ports will involve the queues and delays as Heathrow.

Cautions will be applied for defaulters from July and fines imposed from November.

 

I think some members might be missing the point.
The intention appears to be that you self-test before driving, not that you will be tested using your own test if stopped by the Flics.
I can see potential problems though.
1. Even if the test is to NF standards it is unlikely to be to the same enforceable standard as a Police test kit.
2. If you have self tested, are stopped and the Police test shows you are over the limit what then? Even if you keep the test kit to prove you used it who can say WHO used the kit?
3. Does not blood alcohol rise fairly slowly after consuming last drink? Are there instructions for how soon after last drink you are to use the self-test?
4. Presumably kits are sold in pairs so you can use one and still comply with the law by having a 'spare'. If you use one and then don't have a 'spare' are you still breaking the law?

Just a few potential problems but the main things to remember are:
Don't drink and drive.
French blood alcohol limits are a lot less than in UK.
Requirements for warning triangle and fluorescent jacket carry much heavier fines.
Fines for non-compliance with alcohol test requirements will not be imposed until November.

 

In Canada, drinking and driving will now earn you a longer sentence than for murder. What a change in 30 years. Back in the day, drinking and driving was almost compulsory.

 

In Canada, drinking and driving will now earn you a longer sentence than for murder. What a change in 30 years. Back in the day, drinking and driving was almost compulsory.

Only if you were Ricky, Julian, Mr lahey or Randy Bobandi.

 

Requirements for warning triangle and fluorescent jacket carry much heavier fines.

They also don't like radar detectors or satnavs with speed camera warnings; the function is supposed to be disabled/uninstalled, not just turned off.

 

Idler, I don't suppose our cops like speed camera warnings on Satnavs either but they are OK in UK. Are you saying the Flics can warn/charge you for having it enabled? I wouldn't know how to disable it. Having said that my satnav isn't Europe enabled so I would probably be using one of those old fashioned things.....what are they called....Oh yes - maps!
I think radar detectors are illegal here too, not absolutely sure though.
I use either a lighter right foot or cruise control. NEVER set above 69.5 MPH of course! Unless on an French AutoRoute in good weather then 130KPH is OK.
Never driven on an Autobahn with this car - must try it.

 

Canada's impaired limit is 0.08, blow that or more and your done.

Alberta new laws will give you an immediate license suspension until the matter is settled in court (may be up to 2 years). Convicted drivers would then have to participate in a mandatory ignition interlock program (paid for by the offender), where their vehicle will not start if they have any alcohol in their blood.
Repeat offenders also face escalating penalties under the proposed legislation. Drivers convicted of impaired driving for the third time will have to participate in the vehicle interlock program for five years.

Alberta will soon, and British Columbia has already instituted 0.05 to 0.08 laws.
Drivers with a blood alcohol content between .05 and .08 face penalties, including licence suspensions ranging from three to 30 days and short-term vehicle seizures. They will also have to take part in driver education programs, if they are caught a second and third time.
And enforcement of this law is at the officers discretion, no judge, jury, or lawyer can help you.
Driver must also pay all storage, towing and fines.
Laws are even tougher on new drivers.

B.C. is even nastier, after a couple of offences it will cost a driver upwards of $4-$5,000.00 to get their car and license back, pay to attend courses, and pay the fine, and buy the interlock device.

W


In Canada, drinking and driving will now earn you a longer sentence than for murder. What a change in 30 years. Back in the day, drinking and driving was almost compulsory.

 

Interesting reading all of the comments above re requirements-I used to go to France around 3 or 4 times a year before my accident and can't say I have ever bothered with any of the above except a hi-vis if I remembered to leave my work coat in the car before I went.

 

I've never seen a French person who has broken down wearing a hi-viz.
Only seen brokendown brits with their hi-viz on.

Absolutely.If you then look at some of the usual suspects with the state of their vehicles,it makes one wonder if their vehicles are legally on the road.

As regards breathalyser interlocks,I believe that PSVs are now fitted with this interlock.

The other point on the status of Sat Navs.As the French law stands at the moment, those Sat Navs with factory fitted speed camera warning devices must be disabled, a function which may not be available on the gear. It looks like that the French expect that the function is disabled by software rearrangement and not switched off even if this function is available.However it seems that only an inspection of the gear will reveal if the "mod" has be undertaken or not.

As I se it,if the camera warning device is switched off, it should not radiate any emissions.

Should not affect me unless I re-equip this summer and buy a vehicle with a Sat Nav fitted with these attachments.Personally,I have always found the use of maps far more interesting.

 

Oh, you don't know the thrills of being ordered to turn into a non-existing road, or to jump off an overpass into a road crossing below