Club Arnage

This was just a rumour up until now but the news this morning on the grapevine is that it may well become law.

http://www.connexionfrance.com/Breath-test-alcohol-driver-Sarkozy-death-toll-speed-camera-13266-view-article.html

I'll keep you posted.  Christopher may know more?

Don't think Sarko will be in any position to introduce anything after the next election.
New competition at Camp C'Arnage, who can get the highest score on a breath test machine?
My moneys on Lord Pig Pen, or possibly JP.

There was apparently a report on the news yesterday evening to say that they will be brough in in the spring, so it's got a bit further along than the report states, if what I picked up is correct.  Some speculation as to which of Sarkozy's relatives produces the things...

I'll keep looking for further reports.  I can't find anything new on line since the beginning of the month so I remain sceptical.

our local flic give out free test things this time of year.

;D

We had a breathtester with us in 2006, Swans and Riert used it on mondaymorning to check who was least legal to drive, and that one drove first stretch. ;D I'll be happy to bring it along again next year. ;)

Typical 21stC law making.  Inconvenience the law-abiding, make no difference at all to the law-breakers.

Caught something about this on BBC TV news this morning - no significant details but it looks like we WILL have to carry breath test kits with us.
So, the list so far is:
Breath test kit.
Hi Vis jacket(s)
First aid kit.
Warning triangle.
Insurance certificate.
Letter of permission (if your's is a company or leased vehicle)
Driving licence.

No doubt there will be things I've forgotten....

One thing about the breath test kit; is this intended for the police to use as a cost saving exercise? If so, the kits will no doubt have to be approved and CE marked.

BBC finally picking up on a story from the beginning of December.
Few practical difficulties with this being introduced before LM.
How many cars in France?
Can't see a manufacturer take a flyer and put sufficient product in to stock to cope, given the economic times and, perhaps not lame duck, but certainly limping President.

Add to this list ... Spare bulbs and fuses

Hi guys,

it looks like the appropriate chapter chapter in the CA Guide needs an update: http://www.clubarnage.com/wiki/doku.php?id=ca_guide:driving-in-france

Could someone have a go at it?

Cheers

Werner

http://www.lost-in-france.com/living-in-france/driving/1527-breathalyser-kits
There's a facility to copy this into any site so we could ask to use this?

Hi Deb,

I'd prefer to re-phrase and re-write it so we don't have copyright issues with the print edition of teh CA Guzide in June

Cheers

Werner

That was kind of why I suggested asking them!

I go into hospital on Monday or I'd volunteer.

What a load of old tosh!  
How does making people carry a breathtest kit in their car have any influence on the number of accidents and deaths on the road????  I carry a spare wheel (and tyre) but it doesn't stop me getting punctures now does it.
If people want to drink and drive then they will, there is no getting away from that fact, short of having a blood and breath anlyser built into the drivers seat and/or steering wheel then I don't see how it can be stopped.

Those nutters at LM who insist that they drink copious amounts of alcohol and then jump in their cars and speed off, having first bragged about their highest speeds on the peage are highly unlikely to use the breath test kit for anything other than proving to their mates how pissed they are...  Now I'm all for having fun at LM, but would prefer not to be run over or driven into by some pissed yobbo.

Anyway, it just seems like a political vote winner with the safety people, and a bonus to the tax/fines income to me. Also I presume it will be some french company that makes the kits.

Exactly:

There's no certainty that this will become law.
Nothing has happened since Sarkozy made his speech in November. So it might be better to wait before drafting anything for the CA Guide.
Road safety organisations in France are, like Geoffd, against the idea on the grounds that only those people who are already law abiding will comply.

This was on the radio at about 5 am this morning.

Apparently satnavs that show speed camera locations are to be banned too.  So a friend's new Volvo will have the satnav ripped out of the dash by le flic next time he's in France.

Will this be as successful as Sarkosys plans to get rid of the pikeys.  Does he really think that a 30 bob breathtester taped to the dash is going to save lives.  What a nain's derriere

Kpy, there certainly seems to be plenty about this in the English speaking (often inaccurate or at the very least more akin to the Mail than a proper newspaper in their extrapolation of the  real facts) media here but I've seen little more in the French press.  It did re-surface yesterday for some reason and I'm not quite sure why.


Werner, as Christopher says, probably best to hold off for the moment.

According to http://www.net-iris.fr the law is expected to be altered on 1 April this year to include a requirement for all vehicles to carry two breath alcohol testers, costing 1.5 to 2 euros each (along with the already mandatory reflective gilet and triangle).
There's no mention of any requirement to use one, and indeed if you had two and did use one you'd immediately have to buy another to comply with the reqirement!
What a daft idea  ::)

in one local village purge a friend was sent back to the cafe for coffee and told to stay for hour.another was given a lift up to his house and told to more sensible.some of the local wooden tops are reasonable.in an afternoon testing beano out of 22 drivers 1 an english bloke was legal.all the rest pissed.all let of.plenty of warnings but people still do it.the farmers would probably use those plastic tube things to inseminate their sheep.

There's also a lot of discussion on another forum about GPS data bases and speed camera locations.  I'm still trying to get my head round exactly what the new requirement is, and as I used mine but rarely am going to put this off until I get out of hospital.  Have you worked it out properly, Christopher?

i got an e-mail from tom tom this morning telling me to deactivate the radar alert as it was banned in france.i cant see the filth checking every sat nav in road blocks to deactivate alerts.stooopid.

I'm not sure I can as it's a factory fit unit  >:(

Garmin, TomTom et al are apparently in the process of producing the software to adapt to the new regs (warning you of "danger areas" - sort of the equivalent of the old accident black spot - where many of the cameras are located.)  Don't know about factory fits but how has Switzerland coped all this time?  Once again, I'm still getting my head around this but have other more pressing matters on my mind at the mo'.

I have no idea what you are talking about  ;)

Many of the satnav forums are confirming that as from 4th Jan, any device which detects or knows of the position of safety (speed) cameras is illegal.  I don't think that just disabling speed camera alerts on your PND (or built-in devices) will be sufficient - too easy to switch back on again!!  TomTom are issuing a speed-camera file for France which is effectively empty.

@Paul - all built-in satnavs must have some way of updating the s/w or map data - usually either by cd or SD card.  I would suggest you get in touch with the vehicle/satnav manufacturer to get an update.

Del

Breath kits available here

http://www.drug-testing-kit.co.uk/acatalog/breath-alcohol-detector-0-5-percent-bac1-testing.html

>Martini...LB

Or for a digital meter... http://www.drug-testing-kit.co.uk/acatalog/da5000-pro-mg100ml-digital-breathalyser-testing.html (http://www.drug-testing-kit.co.uk/acatalog/da5000-pro-mg100ml-digital-breathalyser-testing.html)

Are electronic testers legal (on the basis that the law is an ass, and you need two)  I've been thinking of buying one anyway as if you have a few for lunch, how many hours later are you sober enough to drive home, and these units seem to get smaller and smaller

 Guess a "buy now" is in order at 1.5E each.

Once these are a "must have" then the price can only go up...

Maybe also buy a few shares in the French company making them..after all most French MP's (and probably UK's) will have filled their snought's in the trough by now

The AA are anticipating breathalysers being a requirement from July 1 2012. it's half way down this page.
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/france-monaco.pdf.

Ok for the 24 not the Classic  ;D

i think i need to contact the European courts about the breath testing i dont drink and never had so why should i have to pay, if we cant send home terorists must be able to claim its againts my Human Rights or my religion  ;D

I think i will just get 2 paper bags with tubes on them and write in Norwegain that they are Breath Test Kits, as we know the French arnt great on learning other languages, if they struggle with English theres no hope that a French police man will know any Norsk :-)

Next thing you know, they will ban your only vice Nick. No Ginger Nut's or Custard Creams to be carried in the car in France. ;D

as long as they dont ban pickled onion monster munch

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/breathalysers-needed-in-france-from-july/261414/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+whatcar+(What+Car?+News)

Here is a slightly more in-depth article.

http://www.thelocal.fr/2487/20120206/ (http://www.thelocal.fr/2487/20120206/)

And the French Securite Routiere site...

http://dangersdelaroute.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/index.php/alcool/tout-savoir/sanctions-et-reglementation (http://dangersdelaroute.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/index.php/alcool/tout-savoir/sanctions-et-reglementation)

Confirmed. From another forum:

"Subsequent to the publishing today Thursday the 1st March in the Journal Officiel of the French Republic, the decree dated the 28th of February announces that the measure will come into force on the 1st of July this year 2012 but that fines will only be applied from the 1st of November 2012.

Publics concernés : conducteurs de véhicule terrestre à moteur.

Objet : obligation de détention d’un éthylotest pour tout conducteur de véhicule terrestre à moteur.

Entrée en vigueur : le texte entre en vigueur le 1er juillet 2012. Le défaut de possession d’un éthylotest sera

sanctionné à partir du 1er novembre 2012.

http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000025417826&dateTexte=&categorieLien=id "

Oh good, don't need to bother this year then.
Do you know if these things have use by dates on?

Not yet but I'll look when I get the chance. 

Thanks Deb.

They seem to last on average about 3 years, Barry.

EDIT : Beware.  I am told that some only last 18 months to 2 years so watch out when you buy.

Not worried about the cost, just the PIA remembering to replace them.

Quite.
They are around in most supermarkets now (although initial stock are selling out but the panic will soon die down), about a euro each.

Just to confirm what Deb has said - I emailed that site mentioned earlier, and they say 2 - 3 years.

Begs a question though - how would les flics test them anyway??  Would be amusing to see a gendarm knocking back half a bottle of pastis at the side of the road just to see if a test kit worked!!

FYI - that site is currently out of stock, but are expecting new supplies from Sarkozy Enterprises   their suppliers in a few days.

Del

Just an update on this topic.

The law as it currently stands says that you must carry an in date unused approved breathalyser - however there is absolutely no fine or penalty of any sort for not !

Only the French  ::)

i got some at the weekend when I was over just in case  ;D