New law when driving in france from march 2012

FIRST it was the hi-vis vest, then a spare pair of glasses, but now drivers heading across the Channel must add another item to the long list of must-haves – a disposable breathalyser.

French authorities have issued a warning to drivers planning to travel on the Channel Tunnel or on a ferry from Dover that they face an on-the-spot fine of €17 – around £14 – if they fail to carry a breathalyser.

It is the latest in a long list of must-have items British motorists must ensure they have to avoid being fined by the French authorities.

Items include a spare pair of glasses and spare headlight bulbs, along with a warning triangle, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, headlamp adaptors and a GB sticker.

In 2008, head designer at Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld fronted a campaign urging British drivers to make sure they carry a florescent safety vest, with the slogan: “It’s yellow, it’s ugly, it doesn’t go with anything, but it could save your life.”

Those caught without one in their car face being slapped with a £100 fine.

The latest addition to the list, a breathalyser, has been introduced as part of a continued programme by President Nicolas Sarkozy to reduce the number of road deaths in France.

Ferry company DFDS Seaways is warning passengers to be aware of what they need to legally carry in their vehicles.

Marketing and PR manager at DFDS Seaways, Andrew Kelly, said: “Although the new law is not due to be implemented until the spring, and final details are still to be announced, we want to ensure our passengers are fully aware of the obligation to carry a breathalyser in their vehicles when driving on French roads and will be fully prepared.

“DFDS Seaways will continue to provide its passengers with the opportunity to purchase compulsory driving equipment on board, so that drivers can ensure they are compliant with all French driving laws.”

what happens if you dont wear glasses kev,what do we take instead? :

ummmmmmmmm, not sure sean.
best get off down to specsave and get urself some just incase.

NEW START DATE. 1st. JULY 2012.

Officials at the transport ministry confirmed to The Local on Monday that the rules will apply to anyone driving on French roads, including foreigners visiting the country.

The good news for them is that anyone caught without the kit will not immediately face the €11 ($14) fine. Police are to be instructed to start issuing fines only from November.

A departmental spokesperson told us that the start date for the new measure has been pushed back to July 1st 2012, a time when many foreign visitors take to the country's roads for their holidays.

The date has been pushed back from the original planned date of April 1st to give manufacturers time to produce enough of the kits.

The single-use breathalyzer kit can be used to check the driver's blood alcohol level. The legal limit in France is 0.5 grams per litre.

France has been battling to reduce the annual number of road deaths, which sat stubbornly around the 4,000 mark in 2011, a slight reduction on the figure for the year before.

The new test will allow people to test themselves and to give them the means to test others if they suspect they are over the limit.

Single-use breathalyzers cost between €0.50 and €1.50 and authorities are trying to make sure there are enough available before the law comes into force.

Tests carrying the "NF" label are recommended in France, of which there are two manufacturers: Contralco and Red Line.

The transport department did not offer guidance on which tests to buy outside France, nor did it confirm whether a communication campaign will take place to publicise the new rules.

Motorists are being advised to have at least two breathalyzers at all times, so that one can be used if necessary while the other is kept to produce if requested by police.

Anyone driving in France is already required to carry a warning triangle and a fluorescent safety vest. The vest should be carried inside the car and not the trunk. Failure to have these in the car can lead to a fine of €90.

Other items required are a first aid kit, fire extinguisher and and spare bulbs for car lamps, lenses and reflectors.

More information is available, in French, on the website of government road safety agency Sécurité Routière

Hello,

I think you wonder too much. I don't have all of this stuff in my car and never had any problem. I have one triangle in the trunk, and a yellow fluorescent safety vest under my seat, but that's it...

I think all of this is to make spending a bit of money to british visitors...

From France, Germain.