New French Driving Law – Breathalyser
Posted by AP Insurance on Jul 6, 2012 in Business Insurance, Consumer Insurance | Comments OffA new French law came into force on 1 July 2012 making it compulsory for drivers to carry a breathalyser kit in their vehicles or risk an on-the-spot fine of 11 Euros.
This is in addition to existing rules which require:
- The display of a GB plate
- Headlights to be adjusted to the right.
- The vehicle to be equipped with a warning triangle and a luminous safety vest must be kept inside the car– not in the boot.
A set of bulbs is no longer compulsory but you can be fined for driving with a broken light.
Since January, French law has prohibited drivers from carrying any device capable of detecting speed cameras. If you haven’t disabled camera alerts you can be fined at the roadside – up to a maximum of €1,500 – even if the device is not in use.
Foreign drivers are included in the new breathalyser rule, however there is a grace period until November.
The French government hopes that with breathalysers in every car, drivers who suspect they may be over the limit can test themselves and if necessary refrain from taking the wheel.
There are two types of kit: expensive electronic ones which can be reused; and cheap chemical ones.
The drink-driving limit in France is 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood – 30mg less than the UK limit.