Author Topic: French - New Rules Compulsary Carrying Breathalyser Kits Warning (Read 9049 times)

madmondeoman · « **on:** 19 March 2012, 09:37:22 pm »

Our lovely friends across the sea have changed the laws for anyone visiting that you must by law carry a breathalyser kit.
From 1st July 2012 all drivers visiting France will need to carry a breathalyser kit in their cars, as French drivers will have to and from November 2012 there will be an €11 fine for non compliance.
Strangely they will be available at ferry and tunnel terminals for crossings to France.
Full details here http://www.1st4driving.co.uk/index.php/component/content/article/6/25

alan sherman · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 March 2012, 04:23:46 pm »

Wind up - ir is there actually a French industry in making these things?

BIG MAC · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 March 2012, 04:37:25 pm »

Absolutely the case and yes but they are cheaper in France (about 7€ for 3 in the Hypermarches) using UK non 'NF' marked ones no good as the French have a lower limit and the Gendarmes wont accept them. The reason is popularly believed to be proof of 'intent' despite having the means to check whethe rhe was legal Johnny Englander did sally forth after a lunchtime vino and knocked Jean Pierre from his bicycle...just went from having a bad day to having a very bad day

madmondeoman · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 March 2012, 04:38:09 pm »

Probably, it does help the French during the recession.
Why didn't the UK think of this?

BIG MAC · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 March 2012, 04:45:40 pm »

MMM I believe we are working on something similar but resources are still tied up in the self prosecution of speeding fines. The latest scheme is that your speedometer will monitor any excesses of speed in relation to GPS position....you may drive to your destination but the vehicle will not re-start unitil you insert first your chip and pin licence then your credit card. If a ban is issued the car will be dead to anyone using that licence...as will all other cars.

DryRob · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 March 2012, 07:14:19 pm »

I wouldn't expect this to find it's way over here, too many unnecessary variables for the CPS to deal with. How would this stand up in court when there's every possibility that the kits can be tampered with?

UG · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 March 2012, 07:42:09 pm »

Bollocks ter them I'll go through Belgium or Holland.

1967fazer · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 March 2012, 09:02:12 pm »

You can add that to your compulsary hi-viz vest combo and don't even think about taking that, older than 2004 bike, in to a town or city with more than 100,000 ppl in it!!!1

Slaninar · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 March 2012, 09:37:46 pm »

To hell with their stupid regulations!

How have we survived this long without all those "safety" regulations?!?

Bracechenko · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 March 2012, 10:00:28 pm »

I'll be over there on the bike this summer but i'm back in the UK on 30th June so just missed it

chaz · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 March 2012, 01:01:42 am »

erm is it to see if the officer who stops you has been drinking???????????

BIG MAC · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 March 2012, 09:06:43 am »

DryRob...You miss the point completely The French will not use 'your' breathalyser to prosecute you. The French may stop you and require you to use it...and if you fail at the roadside take this as evidence that you had opportunity to establish whether you were legal and didn't use it (Many French will likely use one after one glass then go on to have another couple) This is why you must have at least 2 unused in the vehicle. The Gendarmes will use the interview period to assess whether they need to test you on their equipment. A fail means you had the opportunity to consider your actions yet still flouted the law...As far as a French Judge is concerned....you are for the big house and not passing go.
It is actually quite a good idea and for many the kits will lie in our glove boxes unused and go out of date (worth noting) This is all about the French 2 hour lunch break which is followed shortly after by kids heading home from school not so much aimed at foreign visitors but rules is rules.
Re the Hi Viz , bulbs, triangle ...all fairly sensible stuff and stuff we would be glad of in an emergency....French motorways at night can be pitch black out in the country with sleepy guys driving lorries through the night some with British plates and lights that don't highlight the verge...
With regard to the older than 2004 bikes in cities I don't think the Gendarmes will be too interested in foreign machines much the same as 100bhp applies to French bikes and matriculated imports

DryRob · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 March 2012, 12:08:32 pm »

You have plenty of time to consider your actions before/during consumption of your drink. A couple of breathalysers in a glovebox will not stop people who don't think they will get caught but if it leads to harsher punishment for drink driving then I'm all for it. Although to my eye it's got unnecessary cost written all over it.
Even if the kits were for only designated for self testing, would you trust a piece of kit with a disclaimer on it completely absolving the maker of any wrong doing in the event of a positive roadside test?

goldfazer · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 March 2012, 01:13:02 pm »

Slaninar - presumably you think drinking and driving is OK then?

BIG MAC · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 March 2012, 01:49:53 pm »

Hi Rob kits of three @ 7€ (La Prix et la meme pour une boutille de vin) priced therefore to be 'affordable' - reliability...if you need to consider using it....you've drunk too much. There's no getting away from it they have put the 'reasonable doubt' arguement to bed....You go to court and claim you passed your own breathalyser...you still commited the offence and were willing to take the risk of being caught for it...that you used the kit proves you thought 'you may' be over. The manufacturers will rightly say 'only indicative' although they are quite accurate. The driver wont have a leg to stand on.

DryRob · « **Reply #15 on:** 21 March 2012, 02:13:33 pm »

The easiest way to remove this "reasonable doubt" business would be a 0 limit, I know there is a natural level of alcohol in the blood but this could be accounted for. I also know this is completely off-topic.

BIG MAC · « **Reply #16 on:** 21 March 2012, 02:15:20 pm »

At last..concensus....don't drink and drive

Farjo · « **Reply #17 on:** 21 March 2012, 02:24:32 pm »

Two objections: first, I don't drink so why should I pay 2 quid for something? And second this will encourage the drivers who have a small drink and drive - they can blow into the meter and drink until it's at 49 rather than estimate on the side of caution as people currently do.

BIG MAC · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 March 2012, 02:39:09 pm »

Why should you spend £2? because if you don't you will be breaking the law

.....you don't have to visit France...they will be ok about it

French limit is much lower than ours so to err on the side of caution would be coca cola. All the rules do is put the breaker of the rules in a much worse position legally from a French Courts perspective.
If a Gendarme stops you and you aren't so equipped..if he is a nice guy (few are) he may accompany you to the cashpoint to get your fine money then wait by your vehicle till you return properly equipped or tell you where to pick your keys up when he is off shift...or even have the vehicle uplifted...all at your expense...£2 seems preferable ..

BIG MAC · « **Reply #19 on:** 21 March 2012, 02:45:54 pm »

http://www.frenchbreathalyzer.com/?gclid=CJuB74ue-K4CFUEOfAodBUrI0g

Slaninar · « **Reply #20 on:** 21 March 2012, 02:46:50 pm »

Quote from: goldfazer on 21 March 2012, 01:13:02 pm

Slaninar - presumably you think drinking and driving is OK then?

No. I never drink while driving, I always STOP for a beer.

Seriously: I understand that each driver has to carry their own breath alcohol tester? That sucks. The police should have those and use them when they suspect someone is drunk.

BIG MAC · « **Reply #21 on:** 21 March 2012, 02:48:47 pm »

Quote from: Slaninar on 21 March 2012, 02:46:50 pm

Quote from: goldfazer on 21 March 2012, 01:13:02 pm
Slaninar - presumably you think drinking and driving is OK then?

No. I never drink while driving, I always STOP for a beer.

Technically if you are 'sucking' it wont work...and the link in the pst above explains it better than I

Seriously: I understand that each driver has to carry their own breath alcohol tester? That sucks. The police should have those and use them when they suspect someone is drunk.

Gordo · « **Reply #22 on:** 25 March 2012, 12:05:45 am »

The French police are getting very strict on a lot of things, and they issue on-the-spot fines that are just as they say: on-the-spot. Don't have the cash on you? They'll give you a lift to a cash machine - how you get back to your vehicle is up to you.

If you exceed the speed limit to excess, they can (and will) confiscate your vehicle. For good. Full stop.

And on the subject of speed, if your GPS receiver has speed camera locations recorded in it, that's also now illegal.

I'll be driving through France to get to Switzerland later in the year - must get hold of a breath kit. And a high viz for each person in the car. And all the other stuff we need to carry.

BIG MAC · « **Reply #23 on:** 25 March 2012, 03:11:07 pm »

Annnnd 'the stuff' need to be accessible from within the car....

Ton13 · « **Reply #24 on:** 26 March 2012, 03:07:55 am »

wow, has anyone got a theory test for france???

i cant even think to remember half of these rules.... remind me never to go please?!?!