The Institute of Advanced Motorists is warning that up to half of British motorists driving in France this summer are risking a fine because carrying an approved breathalyser is now mandatory.
The issue is the fact that the breathalyser needs to carry the the blue circular NF logo, the French equivalent of the BSI kite mark in the UK. Lots of people are selling breathalysers for use in France, but, without the right logo, they are of no value.
The IAM questioned 2,300 people about the issue. 82 per cent of people think that the new regulations will have no effect on reducing drink driving, as intended by the French authorities. Only 13 per cent said that the new regulations will reduce people driving over the limit, and 70 per cent said that drivers will only carry them to comply with the law, and will not change their behaviour.
Despite a general scepticism about the impact these new regulations will have, compliance is set to be high. Seventy-five per cent of respondents plan to take the breathalyser kit with them. Only seven per cent said they didn't plan to. Eighteen per cent didn't know or hadn't thought about it.
The legal limit in France is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood, compared to the UK limit of 80mg.
IAM chief executive Simon Best said: "Agree with the changes or not, from July 1st you will face a fine if you don't carry an NF approved breathalyser while travelling in France. While these are a good way of being sure you are safe to drive, if you're going to drink don't drive, and beware the morning after effect.
Tags: Breathalyser, Driving In France, French Motorways, Motoring In France
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Agree, it's official: Police won't take action before November.
More serious though is the satnav situation in France only.
It is now illegal in France to have a satnav that shows sites of speed cameras. This is not just radar detectors that have long since been illegal both abroad and here, but the ordinary type we have that maintains a database and bings whenever one comes close.
This isn't any 9 quid fine either - it's EU1500!
If you can, update software that makes your device legal (Garmin certainly do this and I imagine so do other manufacturers), or else disable the speed camera function before you touch France.
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Isn't the object of speed cameras to make you slow down and drive in a responsible manner...Surely if you are forewarned about speed cameras you will slow down and drive more safely. Isn't that a good thing ? Could it be the authorities are seeing themselves deprived of some revenue ? Surely not.
Quote: Originally posted by Safeway56 on 20/6/2012
Isn't the object of speed cameras to make you slow down and drive in a responsible manner...Surely if you are forewarned about speed cameras you will slow down and drive more safely. Isn't that a good thing ? Could it be the authorities are seeing themselves deprived of some revenue ? Surely not.
They probably reckon that most motorists are more likely to drive within the limits all the time, if they don't know where the radar checks are. rather than only slowing down when one is flagged up.
Only time will tell if they surmise correctly.
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Quote: Originally posted by Safeway56 on 20/6/2012
Isn't the object of speed cameras to make you slow down and drive in a responsible manner...Surely if you are forewarned about speed cameras you will slow down and drive more safely. Isn't that a good thing ? Could it be the authorities are seeing themselves deprived of some revenue ? Surely not.
They probably reckon that most motorists are more likely to drive within the limits all the time, if they don't know where the radar checks are, rather than only slowing down when one is flagged up.
Only time will tell if they surmise correctly.
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Topic: For those going to France
