Re: breathalyser
 

First time I have heard that in the form you post dennerlymum. On reflection there is sense and sanity there. To require all, including tourists (who may have a conviction in their own country) to carry a kit seems draconian.
Just thought, what's to stop a convicted DD borriwing someone else's car? Will kits for engines need to be attached via garage, this would need verification.
Still an interesting topic ...

Re: breathalyser
 

Yes there does seem to be a lot of loopholes; I got the info on anglo info; someone posted a link to the official info... forgot to get back here to inform everyone until yesterday... apparently the system is already in use in some trucks and buses

Re: breathalyser
 

Hi, all drivers!
Someone has posted on the Portugal forum that unused NF Certified breathalysers will be compulsory in all vehicles in France as from 1st July 2012.
So we've got plenty of time to look for some and stock up....;)

Re: breathalyser
 

yep I heard that was the case too; they are on sale in the market here now:)

Re: breathalyser
 

Stuff on tinternet, this from DT in Feb http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/...in-France.html - there's also adverts for those selling the kits direct.

Re: breathalyser
 

Be VERY careful when buying from a market store and especially from the internet. As these portable breathalysers will now be compulsory, many rogues have been quick to see they can make a lot of money from making not-so-cheap and definitely not-so-cheerful units (both digital and single use).
Best to buy from a pharmacie in France.
Good brief documentary on this on French tv yesterday. I'll try and find the link.
Drink with (hic!) moderation....:p

Re: breathalyser
 

I too fail to get the point of this daft law which could in some cases lead to MORE drink driving.

Imagine the scenario: You've been out for a meal, had a couple of drinks, test yourself and come out under so have another because you can so now you're driving home MORE under the influence not less - brilliant way to discourage it.

I also have issues with the levels which are completely arbitary, the level in France is barely over half that in UK which means you can be a deadly drunk driver in Calais but at the self same moment a sober safe one in Dover. Potty !

Re: breathalyser
 

We were advised that the laws came into effect as of 1st March but that fines will not start to be given out until June or July. Apparently the rule is that you are obliged to have 3 in the car. As hubby (and only driver of our car) is teetotal, not too thrilled...

But, we bought the required 3 kits at our local garage for just 1€ each so not too painful. However, they do of course have a use by date on them. As far as we could see, they are good for about 2 years.

Re: breathalyser
 

The above info appears to be incorrect. Very little official info has been released to the media in France, and certainly far less to the public by way of national tv ads etc.

I searched the motoring press yesterday at the library, and read that:

- The presence of a breathalyser kit (éthylotest chimique or un éthylotest électronique) in the car will be mandatory from 1 July 2012.
- If stopped by the police you must be able to produce one kit which is unused, and shown to be within the indicated expiry date.
- The kit must also indicate, 'NF' - Contrôlé par le LNE
- For persons stopped and found without a kit, a fine of 11€ will be imposed from 1 Nov. 2012. (This would appear to give several months 'tolerance/waiver' from the July mandatory date).
- As a recommendation only, it is advisable to retain more than one breathalyser kit in the car at all times.

I guess the latter rule adequately relates to those Brits who go out on regular pub crawls with their vehicles......:p

Re: breathalyser
 

Ah, just found the official site. HERE

Paragraphs of particular interest:-
-Quel type d’éthylotest est rendu obligatoire par le décret - followed by the next 6 paras.

Re: breathalyser
 

Isn't the rumor mill wonderful !

The decree was signed in February, it comes into effect on July 1st but penalties for noncompliance (€11) will not be imposed until November 1st.

The requirement is for ONE per car. A second one is advisable to ensure that you are still in compliance if you do actually use it.

It applies to all vehicles with the exception of mopeds.

Edit: Tweedpipe you beat me to it, good link !

Re: breathalyser
 

The thing about drink is that it is a wonderful thing, but that aside...It takes a while for the alcohol consumed to enter your system. So that someone could check themselves and be below at the start of their journey, but above at the end.

Re: breathalyser
 

Yes, that point is made in the last paragraph of the link I provided. Roughly translated it says:-

Q. Will a driver having tested himself and found himself negative, and shortly afterwards tested positive by the police, be sanctioned?
A. A driver tested positive by the police will incur the penalties provided by law for the alcohol content measured. A road user must take into account the absorption and elimination of alcohol and wait before doing the test. The alcohol content reaches a maximum ½ hour after absorption on an empty stomach, and one hour after absorption during a meal. A healthy person eliminates from 0.10 to 0, 15 g of alcohol per liter of blood in an hour, and nothing can speed up the time of elimination of alcohol from the body.

If you ask me this is where the usefulness of this mandatory test is severely flawed. One goes out for a meal, has an aperitif and say 2 glasses of wine (of 12%-14% vol.??), tests oneself on leaving restaurant and sees negative result, and takes to the wheel - with potentially positive results before arriving home.

Re: breathalyser
 

Thanks for that. I am afraid that my French is not yet up to translating that. But hopefully it will be soon.

We don't live in France, but have a holiday home. We met our neighbours over the Easter Holiday, none of whom speak a word of English. The conversation was limited but we seemed to get on with lots of gestures and smiles.

Re: breathalyser
 

Note that it's not a mandatorry test, only mandatory to carry an unused device.

Whether or when you choose to use it or not is entirely at your discretion.

In your scenario a negative test could of course encourage a person to have another drink !