French - New Rules Compulsary Carrying Breathalyser Kits Warning

[Slaninar]

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]

[quote author=goldfazer link=topic=2223.msg17162#msg17162 date=1332335582]
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.
[/quote]

[Gordo]

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]

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

[Easy Rider 13]

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?!?!

[BIG MAC]

I have a home there and it's perfectly simple really...get an old biscuit tin or similar and shove a portable first aid kit (can be considered illegal in France not to render assistance - commonly referred to as the good samaritan rule) Hi  viz vest - legal requirement is actually only for the driver or persons egressing the vehicle ergo one for each 'seat' Warning triangle ( I carry two) read my comments re French motorways at night earlier (Triangle wont fit in the tin but should under the front seat ditto a fire extinguisher (Lidls about £15 when they have them) spare set of bulbs..some latex gloves and of course one's breathalyser kits. A plastic wallet containing copies of travel docs insurance etc...good idea that way when you open the box plod can see you have come equipped!..To be fair...it's all handy stuff.. On the bike ...hi viz vest...spare bulbs...I carry a mini first aid kit through choice. Hope this helps

[sadlonelygit]

so 'les flic' have been told not to prosecute until november..........

anyone had to produce hi viz, first aid, fire extinguisher and triangle when they've been stopped abroad?

when we went to le mans we were stopped 3 times, once was the full document, noise levels etc, not one biker (english or french) was asked to produce the above. now i would have thought that if they were going to the trouble of a dB meter then they would spend 30s looking for an easy collar for an infraction.

these views are purely my opinion and should not be relied upon in a court of (french) law as a definitive defence :lol

[pitternator]

it all sounds perfectly reasonable, but to my mind its incredible red tape .At what point does it stop? I mean, will you have to carry even more spare parts ?, or a portable drugs test kit , a portable heart attack detector,  or a dementia detector !  :lol ...on cars where for many models its impossible to change a bulb at the roadside...has anyone changed a bike headlamp at the roadside ? I never have.....I just wonder how many can.

TBH I have never carried spare bulbs, and in any case, how do they know they are correct for your vehicle ?

Is the high viz rule in force for bikes now ?...or do you mean carry one for passengers if you breakdown?

[BIG MAC]

Bikes tend to get left alone unless being twats...I carry a hi viz anyway so no hardship...soon going to be compulsory to wear it though however I think this rule applies to French riders principally...(worth checking) Yes I can change headlight bulbs....however for my car its difficult without removing the lamps....but I changed them all to vision plus ok and carry the old bulbs as spares. Bike headlamp bulb change on an FZS 600..if it takes longer than three minutes start to finish I would be surprised...piece of pee

[bigralphie]

I have carried the same bulb kit for 10 years and a friend gave it me after he had a clear out , I have no idea what it fits as I have never opened it lol.

I always have everything to hand in my tank bag for if and when I get stopped ,docs ,bulbs, first aid kit etc
I have been stopped for speeding twice in France and having all my docs,a hang dog expression and my smattering of French language have resulted in a tap on the Speedo and a wave on my way ..............so far

[sadlonelygit]

news from across the water

http://ukfrancebikers.com/2012/03/25/900...-measures/

[locksmith]

Is it a requirement for a motorcycle to carry a hi-viz?

[Gordo]

And an update: the breathalyser rule has been put on hold.

Ditto the requirement for us to wear HV jackets at all times.

[ChristoT]

And an update: the breathalyser rule has been put on hold.

Ditto the requirement for us to wear HV jackets at all times.

As a Frenchman, perhaps I can shed some light.

1) The hi-viz rule was vehemently opposed by the French biking community. As a result, you need only to have reflective patches on your jacket & helmet (sizes escape me ATM).

2) France has run out of breathalysers, hence the pause. Also, the French are sure that there's a finger in a pie there, so I doubt that'll hold for long, if at all. The proof: it isn't being enforced at all. As of July, you were OK as long as you knew you *should* have them. Officially, it *should* have been enforced since September 1st 2012.

[Phil]

According to the AA the size is 23 square inches. One of those Sam Browne reflective belts should be ok.
http://shop.theaa.com/content/driving-in-europe
[color=rgb(0, 0, 0)]New regulation – motorcycles – effective from 1[sup]st [/sup]January 2013 [/color]All drivers and passengers of a motorcycle over 125cc or a motor tricycle over 15 KW/h must wear reflective clothing when riding their vehicles. In the event of an emergency stop, the reflective clothing still needs to be worn. The ‘reflective clothing’ must have a minimum reflective surface of 150 sq. cm (approx 23 sq. in.) in total either in one piece or in several pieces, and must be worn in the upper part of the body (between the neck and the waist). A fine will be imposed for non compliance.




Whilts trying to find out some more info I came across this
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Browne_belt
Sam Browne belts were originally intended fo carrying swords.

[sadlonelygit]

and now the law has been 'repealed' as the bloke that suggested it (a mate of Sarkosy), was the bloke going to make the most money from it!
read all aaaaaaaabaaaaaaaaaaahhhhttttt it