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France introduces mandatory breathalyser law

By David Zalstein |
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From July 1, 2012 new legislation came into effect requiring every motorist in France to carry a breathalyser kit or risk facing a fine.

In a bid to reduce the number of drink-driving-related fatalities in France, the new regulations, which exclude mopeds, mean that motorists and motorcyclists will need to travel with two single-use breathalysers or risk an on-the-spot 11-euro ($13) fine.

The legislation differs from Australia’s breath-testing system, in which breathalysers are the responsibility of police rather than drivers.

Single-use Breathalyser

French police will carry out random checks on drivers across France including those crossing into the country via ferries and through the Channel Tunnel. A four-month grace period is being given to allow people to adjust to the new law, which will be fully enforced by November 1.

According to reports, alcohol is responsible for at least 30 per cent of fatal accidents in the European country famous for its wine and Champagne.

Breathalysers in France currently cost between 1–1.5 euros ($1.20–$1.80), reports Aljazeera.


 

  • gt86.com.au

    if it was only linked to the ignition system, it would actually have a purpose.

    • Smart US

      imagine you need to fart while breathanalysing and it wont let you drive coz its smells like you already dead for 40 days…  had to repeat myself… like Lenin said it repetition is the mother of all knowledge

  • Amlohac

    Just a case of shifting the cost burden to the driver. Thats all it would be straight out cost cutting exercise for the French Police.

  • Amlohac

    Just a case of shifting the cost burden to the driver. Thats all it would be straight out cost cutting exercise for the French Police.

    • Smart US

       french police is usually as drunk as the drivers… but they dont french kiss you for that matter

    • JooberJCW

      I agree, and gives excuse to fine people ALSO if they just forget to replace one they already used.

  • Schn

    This system can easily be abused. For example, I could get someone who hasn’t drank any alcohol to blow into it. When the police see it, they’ll think I’m sober.  

    • Smart US

       you are criminal mind… you are mastermind of all criminals

  • Acfsambo

    What are the rules for using it? Do I have to breathalyse myself every timeI drive or just after I have had a few drinks? 

    • Smart US

       imagine you need to fart while breathanalysing and it wont let you drive coz its smells like you already dead for 40 days…

      • Jober As A Sudge

        I just had a sense of déjà vu!

  • Smart US

    cant help it again – the balloon seems to inflate the lady’s (driver on the pic) cushions… i think they took wrong pic

  • Phunken

    Well don’t they also require glass wearers to have a spare pair in the car plus you have to carry an extra pair of headlight bulbs, and not sure about this but also hi-vis vest for night time incase of breakdown. Agreed on how the hell do they enforce this?
    This mean frenchies can’t drink at lunch time anymore…

  • Riguez

    The bag is simply to enable people who maybe be on near the limit to know for sure and then make a (more) informed decision about if they should drive. I would expect this is to compliment rather than suppliment traditional formal checks by police.

  • Michael Lock

    ce n’est pas bon

  • Michael Lock

    Je ne suis pas impressionné

  • Michael Lock

    Je vais vendre ma Citroën

    • TG

      ânes intelligents :)

      • Michael Lock

        Yes Donkeys are more intelligent

  • Garrywhopper

    The cops carnt catch the garlic munchers cause there all like inspector clouseau

  • Shak

    This is as brilliant as the hi-vis vest law! Just another thing for J.Clarkson to whine about on Top Gear.

  • mightyfour

    So if you have 2 kits in the car and then use 1 to make sure you’re ok to drive, you’ll risk getting fined for driving with only 1 kit?
    OR
    Don’t use any, which would defeat the purpose of having them in the first place… BUT you won’t be fined…

    • JooberJCW

      I think the system is that when you get pulled by the police they’ll make you blow into the bag you bought, as said up before it sounds like just shift in expense to the driver to supply the testing unit.

  • Save It For The Track

    A persons BAC can continue to increase for a few hours after they stop drinking. So they can actually return a higher reading after a test at a particular time. I fail to see why they have taken this approach. Maybe a stronger focus on random breath testing or sobriety tests would be more effective. More likely that a french politician or two has shares or interests in one of the companies that make the test kits….

    • Smart US

       and i though im the only one paranoid

      • Aus_poppa

        The law actually requires one to be carried. The reason for people having two is so that if one has been used the driver still complies with the law because he is carrying the required breath tester.

        By the way, the high visibility vest must be carried inside the car, not in the boot.