Wind up - ir is there actually a French industry in making these things?
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
The Frying Scotsman
Probably, it does help the French during the recession.
Why didn't the UK think of this?
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.
The Frying Scotsman
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?
thou shalt not kick
Bollocks ter them I'll go through Belgium or Holland. :rollin
DaveG is..... The Deer Hunter
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
To hell with their stupid regulations!
How have we survived this long without all those "safety" regulations?!?
Most things done in a hurry need to be done again - patiently.
erm is it to see if the officer who stops you has been drinking???????????
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
The Frying Scotsman
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?
thou shalt not kick
Slaninar - presumably you think drinking and driving is OK then?
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.
The Frying Scotsman
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.
thou shalt not kick
At last..concensus....don't drink and drive
The Frying Scotsman
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.
![[Image: 151860.png]](http://badges.fuelly.com/images/smallsig-uk/151860.png)
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.