Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Going to France?

Apparently along with the reflective vest, warning triangles, spare bulbs, first aid kit etc required when travelling to France; you now need an approved Breathalyser Kit.

Halfords are now selling them with the required certification, but our local store has had "a recent run on them"
I've ordered mine on line, but worth consideration if you are off to LM 24 or The Classic?

Bud

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2003 - 4/4
Triumph Bonneville

I suspect LM may be the reason for the recent stock depletion??

...and when leaving France you are required to carry at least two boxes of quality wine Have a nice weekend!

There were a number of legislative measures talked about on TopGear which were coming in from 1st Jul 12. I take it that's for these?

"The Journal Officiel de la République Française has published details of the new breathalyser rules, with drivers advised of the legislation from July until 1 November, 2012 following which fines will be handed out if drivers are not in possession of a kit.
All motorists will have to have a breathalyser, this includes motorcyclists, van drivers and travellers from outside France, with The Local website saying a fine of €11 will be charged to anyone not carrying the breathalyser."

This means that the law won't actually be in force until after Nov 1st but it 's advisable to carry 2 kits just in case one gets used as, if you are stopped by the men in blue, you will still be expected to produce an unused kit.
Alistair

Alistair
Thanks for the update
Bud

_________________
2003 - 4/4
Triumph Bonneville

This is yet another moronic measure, right up there with the one banning speed camera locations on GPS. It's all about politicians being seen to do SOMETHING even if it's pointless and achieves absolutely nothing.

Honestly, if you're going to drive, have no more than the one (reasonable - not a long island iced tea for example) drink, et voilà. I see this sort of thing as fraught with difficulty ("but officer, I checked before I set off" and so on). It's probably also a ruse so that they have something to fine you for, particularly if you're a motorist visiting France - breathalyser kit past it's used by date for example.

Angry of St Germain en Laye

P.S. I'm entitled to pay hundreds of thousands of euros into the French public purse every year, yet I have no choice this weekend in which corrupt & preening self satisfied idiot will be fleecing me for the next five years. Vive la démocracie.

I agree with you Giles.

Let me add to that and say that a breathalyser is one of the most fraudulent things ever imposed on the motorist. It does not measure the amount of alcohol in your blood (which is a valid measure of the degree of intoxication) but the amount of alcohol in your breath. It should only be used as an indicator leading to the request for a blood test. But that would be too difficult so the easy way out is to declare that a breathalyser, for the law, is a valid indicator of blood alcohol levels.

Anyone who has an instrument should try the following: drink half a glass of wine (would not get anyone drunk) and then blow into the instrument. You will find you are almost off the scale! Wait 10 minutes and try again. You will still show as legally drunk. It will take at least 20 minutes to a half hour and perhaps more before you come under the legal limit but if you drink a glass of water and swill it around your mouth just before trying the breathalyser nearly all traces of alcohol will disappear. This will not help you if you are really drunk so be warned it is not a trick to avoid prosecution. It does however prove that you need to be very careful when offered "one for the road". At least in Italy I have the right to demand a blood test instead of a breathalyser test.

Having said all that I am definitely against drunk driving. I carry permanent injuries as a result of an accident caused by a drunk driver.

I also pay tax in Italy (and in Australia) As a non Italian I have the right to vote in local elections but not the national elections. As a non resident I don't have the right to vote in Australia. I have started to realise that the word "politician" signifies "a corrupt person".

Sorry about the rant.

Ok - guys. Thanks for the heads-up.

Peter; Politicians? Not just a "corrupt person", but also someone with an ego the size of Jupiter!

But thanks everyone for the info on the current French regulations. I have a "going on the ferry bag" which includes all the stuff required for France and Spain.
This goes into the Morgan prior to the trip. I'm picking up the breathalyser from my local Halfords today (ordered on-line), which will get added to the bag.

Bud

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2003 = 4/4
Triumph Bonneville