The French breathalyser is dead
- Thread starter franco
- Start date
Thanks for that Franco.
Just to echo the don't drink and drive advice, two friends of mine were involved in a nasty crash with a Polish truck, resulting in two written off motorcycles and a badly damaged truck.
The first thing the French plod did on arrival was to breathalyse the two riders and the Pole. No delay, no asking if anyone was injured or what happened to cause the accident. Thankfully my two friends came up zero, the Pole, too.
Only after the tests proved negative did the French police set about ascertaining what had happened and how to deal with it all. As nice as pie they were. After the wreckage had been sorted out, I asked the police what they thought of the intended new law. In short: "It was rediculous, all about making money and nothing about reducing the numbers of drink drivers".
Just to echo the don't drink and drive advice, two friends of mine were involved in a nasty crash with a Polish truck, resulting in two written off motorcycles and a badly damaged truck.
The first thing the French plod did on arrival was to breathalyse the two riders and the Pole. No delay, no asking if anyone was injured or what happened to cause the accident. Thankfully my two friends came up zero, the Pole, too.
Only after the tests proved negative did the French police set about ascertaining what had happened and how to deal with it all. As nice as pie they were. After the wreckage had been sorted out, I asked the police what they thought of the intended new law. In short: "It was rediculous, all about making money and nothing about reducing the numbers of drink drivers".
Good news, thanks 
blueoffroader400
Registered user
Enforcement has been postponed until Mar also the reflective law for motorcyclist has been abolished .......
Well thats what I have just read!!
Well thats what I have just read!!
Well thats what I have just read!!
I've just read that terrorists all look like pirates. Sometimes you just have to be a bit selective about what you believe.
The Grey One
Registered user
Enforcement has been postponed until Mar also the reflective law for motorcyclist has been abolished .......
Well thats what I have just read!!
I've just read Mafeking has been relieved. Both of us need to keep up!
SWMBO (fluent French) has checked the link given in the first post- thanks Franco-it's official So all of you travelling through France now have room for one extra sock, choose wisely.
We are constantly having to reassure guests that what they heard from a well meaning friend is just not so. Last one was "I am told I can't ride in an open face helmet" Tell that to the 70,000 Harley riders who come here each September for European Bike Week.
As Wapping says, be a bit selective and maybe check first
John
and a gendarme doesn't need a reason to breathalyser you. He can do it just because he feels like it or block a crossroads and breathalyse everyone who passes.
Bugbear
Registered user
There is talk locally of a mass claim for reinbursement for the purchase of these stupid things.
Its a tiny amount of money to individuals but a few people (government advisors with factories making the bloody things for one) have made millions.
Vive le France.
Its a tiny amount of money to individuals but a few people (government advisors with factories making the bloody things for one) have made millions.
Vive le France.
Absolutely. I was stopped at Nimes at 11.00pm at a road block having picked up the wife at the airport. Normally I wouldn't carry my documents but luckily I had them with me. You are required to have them with you
Pulled in all very correct. I explained I never drink and drive, no joy! blow blow blow and 0.0. Very jovial and thank you on your way.
Carry your documents and do not drink and drive and no probs.
But making money for who? I wouldn't have thought that breathalyser manufacturers carried a lot of political clout.
Very good.
swissrob
Registered user
But making money for who? I wouldn't have thought that breathalyser manufacturers carried a lot of political clout.
if some of the politicians who pushed thru the ruling just happened by pure coincidence to own or have shares in companies that made the units it would
Every one of these little devices is VAT rated @ 19.6%. 2 Euros or so each multiplied by 45 million sold, nice little stealth tax. They also have to be in date so it's an on-going return. Add in fines for those without the device and voila!
Cynical moi?
Cynical moi?
RedShanks
Registered user
No fan of Château Pétrus, then?
swissrob
Registered user
They did, that's why there was so much shit about it.
One of the comments here says as much - and some more!
Strangely enough, according to ACF (Automobile Club de France), under the ‘Code de la Route’ (the French highway code) the requirement to carry a breathalyzer has not been revoked.
Currently the text is as follows:
Breathalyser obligatory: Yes / regulation: no, not before the 1st March 2013.
Last edited:
