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French Breathalysers |
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mjn77
Club Member Joined: 22 Jul 2016 Location: Herts, UK Status: Offline Points: 126 |
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Posted: 18 Jun 2017 at 5:00pm |
Only grief abroad was also in Belgium, when the Police towed my car for a parking offence :(
Expensive end to the trip, €295 release fee, plus taxi cost to the impound yard. |
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BrianW
Club Member Joined: 10 Nov 2008 Location: West Sussex Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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I have just found some for my next trip, mostly spent in Germany, although will briefly be going through France.
I have been driving in Europe for nearly fifty years, got stopped and breathalyzed for the first time in April by the Belgians. Although they tried to Breathalyze my passenger first Thing looked like a microphone, couldn't understand why they wanted me to blow into a microphone All was clear and was sent on my way. |
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mjn77
Club Member Joined: 22 Jul 2016 Location: Herts, UK Status: Offline Points: 126 |
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I better get some more!
Mind, in 8 years of driving abroad, never once been stopped for a check. |
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Mike Fishwick
Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2742 |
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Sorry - NOW active!
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A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
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BrianW
Club Member Joined: 10 Nov 2008 Location: West Sussex Status: Offline Points: 265 |
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Can you clarify please Mike, is the requirement not active or now active.
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Mike Fishwick
Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2742 |
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The requirement to carry at least one unused breathalyser is not (EDIT - NOW) active, so be prepared!
Edited by Mike Fishwick - 13 Jun 2017 at 8:09am |
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A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
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Mike Fishwick
Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2742 |
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Yes - the requirement to stop and render assistance is common to most EU countries except of course the UK, where of course we do not want to get involved with strangers, considering that to be the job of the 'right' people!
In Germany you are also required to carry latex gloves to prevent the transfer of HIV etc. while doing so. It's odd how many normal people will look the other way when a stranger needs their help, wheather on the road or eleswhere - after all, it may become necessary to touch them! Perhaps Brits prefer to leave a stranger to die, rather than render basic first aid. One source of this phobia is the usual 'I might be suied' if the injured party dies - any excuse! |
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A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
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Tony
Club Member Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 191 |
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I've had a pack of AlcoSense(?) ones in my car since the law was first mooted about 6 years ago...before it kept getting delayed due to the commercial connections between one of the 2 companies making them and the pressure group responsible for the idea.
They're probably out of date, and probably the wrong type, but it's the thought that counts Also have (not all necessary for France, but for other countries I may visit):
Edited by Tony - 01 May 2017 at 2:55pm |
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2006 Z4MC
164k mile, Individual Ruby Black, Extended Champagne & Piano Black trim |
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Mike Fishwick
Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2742 |
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Ok Ok - 'Brits' . . .
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A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
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DAVE P
Club Member Joined: 04 Jun 2013 Location: Cheshire Status: Offline Points: 178 |
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What are "bits" |
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Mike Fishwick
Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2742 |
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It may be a French Law, but it applies to tourists as well.
Believe me, Bits will whinge about it, and try to ignore it. Then they can complain again when they receive a roadside fine, rather than spend £1 or so on a breathalyser. Half the Bits probably imagine that the UK is now above French law! Edited by Mike Fishwick - 29 Apr 2017 at 4:33pm |
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A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
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NickDE
Region Chair North East Chairman Joined: 14 Mar 2015 Location: Newcastle Status: Offline Points: 1124 |
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Why whinge about the EU ? This is a French only law. If you want to whinge, whinge about individual countries developing stupid laws.
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Darkness gone, Tronic gone, Solo gone, DBA going, go Darknes2, go Frozen, go Black Pearl, go The Vibrator
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Mike Fishwick
Forum Member Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Location: France Status: Offline Points: 2742 |
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It looks likely that the French requirement to carry a breathalyser will become active law from next year, accordmg to a recent article in the Guardian.
Fancy electronic types are available at 49 Euros, but unless you plan to drink and drive the 1 Euro type will satisfy the Gendarmerie. Expect a possible check on this at French ferryports, and a definite check at any 'Your papers please' roadside checks. No doubt we will now have the usual whining about Brussels/French/EU etc etc, but it must be remembered thast the French have a much higher incidence of drink and driving that in the UK. |
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A Z3 is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
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