Breathalyser now required in France?

[gasace]

I have just heard from a friend that this year it will be a requirement to have a breath testing kit in any vehicle driven in France. Does anybody know if it is true? it sounds ridiculous but knowing how good the French are at finding new ways to fine people (especially the English) it is possible

[francophile1947]

I believe it is indeed true, but not yet law I reckon most English campers would fail a French breathalyser anyway. The limits are lower than in this country and loads of cheap beer and wine gets consumed the night before

[helen&tony]

Hi
Trouble is, John, that there are so many half-way decent wines in France, that one must sample in one's travels...a bottle per person with a meal is more or less de-rigueur, isn't it?
Cheers
Helen

[Nick65]

I've just spoken to Brittany Ferries who've never heard of this.

[g8dhe]

There is a reference to it here in the Connexion paper http://www.connexionfrance.com/news_art ... hp?id=3266

[briwy]

Supposed to be law in the Spring, whenever that is.

On sale in some French supermarkets and no doubt will be in ferry terminals.

[borntobag]

So even if you are teetotal you still need to carry a breathalyser to prove to yourself how pissed you’re not?
If someone is really stupid enough to drink and contemplate driving do they really think that a self-administered breath test will stop them getting behind the wheel?
If the breathalyser was built into the car and connected to the cars engine management system that could prevent the car from starting if over a certain limit, that might work.

Personally, I would prefer a zero tolerance approach both here and there.
Simples, if you have drunk alcohol it’s illegal to drive, no excuses. Why make exceptions?

[francophile1947]

You don't get many teetotalers in France The breathalysers don't cost much, so better safe than sorry There are lots of laws we may not agree with, but we're still obliged to obey them.

[borntobag]

Yeah i agree, buy the breathalyser to comply with their law.

But my point was, if your going to drive dont drink anything. There really is no excuse. Cant get any safer than that.

[francophile1947]

But my point was, if your going to drive dont drink anything. There really is no excuse. Cant get any safer than that.

Well that would certainly cut journey times - there'd barely be anybody on the roads and loads of Bongos abandoned at campsites

[borntobag]

dont see whats so funny...surley that would mean all the ignorant arrogant self centred w***kers who drink and drive wouldnt be on the road.
I pressume by your frivolity and flipancy towards the subject you fall into that category, I however speak from a different perspective as someone who has lost a loved one directly as a result of an ars***e who got tanked up one evening and thought he was still ok to drive to work the next morning.

Its not difficult...just be responsible....If you are going to drink dont drive! you dont need a friggin breathalyser!

[flossie]

Yeah i agree, buy the breathalyser to comply with their law.

But my point was, if your going to drive dont drink anything. There really is no excuse. Cant get any safer than that.

Daft point - for how long after ? Taking into account a good night sleep , differences in gender, metabolism, weight etc should u wait an hr, a day, a week ? By having a reliable POlice endorsed machine I think this would dramatically reduce morning after drink driving but of course this would reduce revenue so they won't !!! Made the same points on Hants police FB page but surprise surprise they couldn't / wouldn't respond !!!

[Bongopoet]

I was taught that each unit of alcohol is at its highest level at one hour after consumption. It then takes a further hour for the unit to be metabolised by the liver. So say you have three units at 7pm they might be out of your system by 11pm.

I think having a breathalyser is not a bad idea, if nothing else for peace of mind.

[MountainGoat]

One problem is that most people think in terms of the number of pint, cans or bottles that they have drunk. Few if any seem to know exactly what a unit is and how it is connected to their consumption. It looks like this information should be stamped on the cans etc in large letters.

Tony

[g8dhe]

A few more bits of information here again http://www.connexionfrance.com/Breath-t ... ticle.html