New Breathalyser Law in France

[Heuer]

From 1st July any car travelling through France must carry a breathalyser (at minimum a single use version). Fines will be imposed from 1st November for anyone not carrying one. Apparently drivers are expected to test themselves after drinking to judge their suitability to legally drive. And, no, I am not making this up!

[PeterCrespin]

Incredible. Would it be a defence to be so pissed that you could say you had no need of one since the result was clear without it?

Bulb kit, country badge, beam deflectors, yellow jacket, warning triangle, breathalyser ...

It won't be long before they grant exemption from further lunacy for OTS owners, on account of restricted stowage space.

[Heuer]

At least you can change the bulbs on an E-Type; try that with a modern car headlamp unit! I have added the breathalyser to the Forum list of essential touring spares. Incidentally the IAM advice is to carry two single use breathalysers in case you use one of them. The breathalyser needs to be calibrated to French limits (50mg) and not UK limits (80mg):



http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/personal-br ... -in-france

[ginger dave]

Are the pissheads who drive around in microcars exempt.They've already lost their driving permit once and given their government a massive amount of tax to stay on the road so i suppose they will be left alone

[SteveG]

So if you are stopped by the gendarmes after having used one of your breath test kits which gives a clear reading and they test you with one of theirs which puts you over the limit, would you have a defence? Or are you supposed to provide a breath test kit from your own supply to help keep policing costs down? Bemusing or amusing, I don't know which.. :?

[SteveG]

Forgot to mention - Thanks for the info David, you can bet it won't be widely publicised.

[pmansson]

Sounds like an April Fools Day trick....

[Heuer]

It is only like tax returns - self assessment! I imagine the next step will be for us to carry traffic cones, flashing blue lights and that Police blue 'Do Not Cross' tape.