Going to France by car after July 1st 2012?

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:10 pm

Yet another new law that those of you planning a driving trip including France in your route, you need to take note of the following......

If you are driving in France after 1st July 2012 it will be mandatory that you carry a breathalyser unit that is type approved for use in France and shows the French limit not the UK one. So don't forget to buy one to go with all the other requirements that the French Government are now introducing, recent and not so recent - like lumi jackets for every passenger (not just the driver), bulb kits, warning triangles, first aid kits.....etc, etc...

Won't be much room for occupants at this rate!

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:19 pm

So an eBay job won't do then. Wonder if I should pick one up in a few weeks when I go over.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 9:46 pm

As long as it has the NF (Norme Francaise) quality seal of approval and shows the 0.5% limit (UK is 0.8%) then it's fine. Penalty fines will apparently not be issued until 1st November (unless of course you're a UK Motorist, in which case you are probably fair game as usual!)

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:27 pm

Seems a bit odd that as a non drinker I have to have this in the car

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:29 pm

Me too, but it says a lot about French drinking and driving too dunnit!

snipez999 · Post by **snipez999** » Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:36 pm

Could be worse. If they were being truly bastardious they could have brought it in in time for the annual Le Mans pilgrimage.....

squeaky2 · Post by **squeaky2** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 6:25 pm

[quote=""pvr""]Seems a bit odd that as a non drinker I have to have this in the car

[/quote]

Ahh...but someone in the car might have a drink and need to drive if you are incapacitated. Sure that will be the argument.

Anyway its getting to the point where it will be cheaper to fill the car with alcohol and drink diesel for pleasure

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 7:32 pm

Taking any bets on how many people would actually use one of these prior to driving?

Not to mention once used, you no longer have a "kit" in the car so you would still receive a penalty ...

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:04 pm

Is there not an electronic version? I've not seen said devices (other than the ones advertised), but I know the 'blow in the bag' types went out of use in Surrey Police some years back.

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:58 pm

The official French approved (note that it has to be French approved !!), is a disposable unit at about 2 Euros. Had a look at eBay and they are sold at a bit of a premium here (6 for Â£15).

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 6:29 pm

[quote=""X5Sport""]Yet another new law that those of you planning a driving trip including France in your route, you need to take note of the following......

If you are driving in France after 1st July 2012 it will be mandatory that you carry a breathalyser unit that is type approved for use in France and shows the French limit not the UK one. So don't forget to buy one to go with all the other requirements that the French Government are now introducing, recent and not so recent - like lumi jackets for every passenger (not just the driver), buld kits, warning triangles, first aid kits.....etc, etc...

Won't be much room for occupants at this rate![/quote]

Are there any docs to show that all occupants must have hi vis etc as when I was looking last week I only noted the driver's vis, triangle etc.

Thanks

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535dboy · Post by **535dboy** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 6:48 pm

[quote=""X5Sport""]

Won't be much room for occupants at this rate![/quote]

Try this in a lotus - you are not joking

I only take the jacket at the minute.

graemeX5 · Post by **graemeX5** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:21 pm

That appears tom to be the idea to stop all the visitors going there by making more and more rules

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:26 pm

The original comment came from Auto Express several weeks ago.

All I can find quickly is this on Trip Advisor. It suggests that 'ideally' all passengers should have one 'in case they need to get out of the vehicle' but then does indicate this is advisory. Clear as mud then....

Chompers · Post by **Chompers** » Thu May 10, 2012 11:40 pm

All occupants in the car need a "Hi Vis" and thesse have to be kept in the passenger area of the car and not the boot so that should the need arise everyone can get out of the car wearing their "Hi Vis"

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