French breathalyser law?

[Devadave]

French Government confirms new law

Translated from the original,
*published 1st March 2012

The French government announced officially on Thursday that all cars must carry a single-use breathalyzer kit from November 1st. The move, which has been widely reported for some time, was made official in a decree on February 28th and published on Thursday.* The law will be enacted on the 1st July and effective on the 1st November.

"Every driver of a motorised land vehicle, excluding mopeds, must possess an NF Approved digital breathalyzer or unused (and immediately available) NF breathalyzer kit" said the decree, published in the official gazette.

Transport ministry officials said the rule would apply equally to vehicles from outside France. Only vehicles fitted with Breathalyser Interlocks are excluded.

A fine of 11 euros will be charged to any driver not carrying the breathalyzer kits, but police have been told to enforce the regulation only from November 1st. The new law is the latest attempt to reduce France's road accident rate.* Being fined on one occasion does NOT stop a second fine being imposed later in your journey if you have still not purchased an approved kit.

Around 4,000 people died on French roads in 2011, a very slight improvement on the figure for the year before. Drink driving is believed to be responsible for one in three road deaths.

The government hopes having a kit in the car will allow people to test themselves and to give them the means to test others if they suspect they are over the limit. (The legal blood alcohol limit in France is 0.5 grams per litre. versus 0.8 grams per litre in the UK)

Click Here to see an English Translation of the actual Decree



And discuss? Guess the makers of the device sponsored this 1? Best I get some in ready for my avoid the jubilee celebrations:danger:

 

[solarman]

i'm going to France on friday but i've still bought 2packs just in case.

 

[fairytooth]

Out of interest I wonder if anyone thinks this will make a difference to the current death toll in France.

I am trying to imagine being in the position of having had a few drinks and deciding whether to use my own breathalyser, walk home or just run the gauntlet of les flics and then not have to go and buy another one.

Just curious really. Any suggestions?

 

[Teutone]

Read an article in the ADAC monthly magazine. The ADAC tests all sorts of things and concluded that after comparing some one-off breathalysers against a professional unit used by the german police that they are all useless........

They will show that you HAD some alcohol, but not exactly HOW MUCH. Well, it doesn't need a little plastic tube to tell me that I had some alcohol, doesn't it? Another useless law.

 

[oldish hippy]

i'm going to France on friday but i've still bought 2packs just in case.

well you need min of two like i said in previous discussion and post on this subject once you used one then you need another to replace it otherwise you are not legal

 

[Devadave]

That really was my point, I drive in Europe as part of my job.... It was only on the ferry into Hull on Friday night when a guy was telling me, so thought it best to help inform others, I know the sentiment behind it is good, but I also see the people going for lunch and drinking wine then jumping into their vehicles and zooming off.... :hammer:

The other reason was when I searched the site, nothing came up with the search words...

 

[Deleted member 21686]

Surely this will affect the French way of life.
They often consume a fair drop of wine during their long lunch and then continue their day.

Or will they just carry on regardless and just carry the test kits.

 

[fairytooth]

I still don't really get it. I mean the French police can breathalyse whoever they like now so this can only be for self use. Do they really think you will use it on yourself and then not drive? Or is it a visible deterrent in the car? Or something your partner might tell you to use rather than just taking a chance? Weird if you ask me. I'm pretty sure the French drink and drive more on average than we do here. Just a suspicion based on my own experiences.

In France the drink/drive limit is 50 mg/100 ml limit, while the UK limit is 80 mg /100ml. Yet they have approximately twice the number of drink/drive deaths we do (1000/500) In UK the penalties are more severe with an immediate ban likely. Those facts seem to support my theory and my own observations.

I happen to know that you can drink quite a lot before you are 'over the limit' I promise you the 2 pint rule is a myth. Perhaps then if those who habitually drink & drive give themselves a test and surprisingly discover that they are well over the limit, it may educate them to drink less. Maybe. But heavy drinkers are often alcoholics and temporarily immune from the forces of logic.

One thing is for sure though. It's definitely a good thing for the breath test manufacturer. What is the new tester called? The Sarkozometer? Something like that.

 

[Techno100]

I've just booked a return crossing with DFDS £89 August. I may pick some up at the chemist at the local price of €1.10 each.
They have a 2yr shelf life so check the date and buy as late as possible

 

[fairytooth]

I've just booked a return crossing with DFDS £89 August. I may pick some up at the chemist at the local price of €1.10 each.
They have a 2yr shelf life so check the date and buy as late as possible

Don't forget they now tell us it won't be enforced until November. For the run up to Xmas no doubt (the road user culling season).

 

[Techno100]

Yes thanks I was aware so may not bother unless they're in front of me at Carrefour and next to the wine :lol-049:

There is the possibility of being pulled in at the ferry terminals for inspection so rather than ruffle feathers it is probably worth having them to keep it smooth.
I've been hauled over twice in 3 trips