France - breathalizer?

poter

poter

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 Feb 2002
Messages
2,127
Location
Still going south currently in Corsica for winter
www.fairhead.com
Just hearing down the pub that France may be bringing in a law that you should carry a breathalizer kit in the car!

Just a thought I will be in Port Nap next week, if anyone wants one, I have just seen this on Ebay, I assume its a true statement.

"As from the 1st of July 2012 all vehicles travelling in France must carry an approved for France alcohol breathalyser.
This breathalyser is designed to alert you at the lower French drink drive limit of 0.5% BAC.
UK limit is 0.8% and UK calibrated breathalysers will NOT accepted by France."

The price is £5.90

Let me know if anyone wants a set.:(:confused:
 
The info. is basically correct.
The law will come into statute on 1st July but the police will not take 'offence' until later in the year. Breathalisers must be NF certified (i.e French standard). It is 'advisable' to have two, so that if one is used there is always an unused one in the vehicle. The fine will be 17 euros.
Why, I hear you ask, has the French government introduced such an excellent safety-conscious piece of legislation? Why are two advised? Why are UK and other types not accepted?
The answer appears to be, that the legislation was sponsored by France's breathaliser trade association 'in the interests of road safety'. The proposal was passed in a scandalously short time. Only one firm manufactures NF certified breathalisers.
With 38 million cars, times 2 breathalisers, the (initial) guaranteed sales equate to 76 million euros, at 1 euro a pop.
Pretty cool, huh? :cool:
 
poter said:
Just hearing down the pub that France may be bringing in a law that you should carry a breathalizer kit in the car!

Just a thought I will be in Port Nap next week, if anyone wants one, I have just seen this on Ebay, I assume its a true statement.

"As from the 1st of July 2012 all vehicles travelling in France must carry an approved for France alcohol breathalyser.
This breathalyser is designed to alert you at the lower French drink drive limit of 0.5% BAC.
UK limit is 0.8% and UK calibrated breathalysers will NOT accepted by France."

The price is £5.90

Let me know if anyone wants a set.:(:confused:
Click to expand...


Costs 1 euro for a set in the supermarket and car places, petrol stations etc. They all have them.

No tickets will be issued until November - although you will get told off from the 1st of July.
 
What is it about our French cousins and their driving laws?

I've been on-the-spot fined for not having my motorcycle headlight on and, on a different occasion, cautioned for keeping my high-vis jacket (!) in the boot. When I pointed out that I drive an estate car which does not have a boot it was explained to me that the area behind the passengers seats is a boot.

I wonder if you are allowed to keep the breathalyser in the "boot"?

Richard
 
RichardS said:
What is it about our French cousins and their driving laws?

I've been on-the-spot fined for not having my motorcycle headlight on and, on a different occasion, cautioned for keeping my high-vis jacket (!) in the boot. When I pointed out that I drive an estate car which does not have a boot it was explained to me that the area behind the passengers seats is a boot.

I wonder if you are allowed to keep the breathalyser in the "boot"?

Richard
Click to expand...

The logic is that you need to wear the high visibility jacket when getting out of the car on a busy road. It is no good in the boot if you get run down by a truck before you can get it out!
 
French police have been issuing on-the-spot fines for various offences since I was a teenager and, for motorcyclists, the use of dipped headlights in daylights is mandatory. That just happens to be the loi.
Similarly with the gilet de securité, it has to be within reach of a seated driver, even Karl Lagerfeld.
jpg_lagerfeld.jpg

Nothing too difficult or contentious there, I would have thought.
 
And don't forget spare bulbs.

I have to take the front bumper off my Audi to change mine but it's the thought that counts.

This Renault is even worse

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top