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7 Jun 2013
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Just a note. I passed through France yesterday and this morning. I have not seen any motorcyclist (and there are many on the roads) be they British, French or any other nationality sporting these stickers on their helmets.
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7 Jun 2013
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Quick hijack...
Is it also compulsory for motorcyclists to carry two breathalyzer test, same as the motorists?
Hijack off...
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7 Jun 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pumbaa
Quick hijack...
Is it also compulsory for motorcyclists to carry two breathalyzer test, same as the motorists?
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Yes... but... there is NO fine for not having them as of last March... no brainer 
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8 Jun 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EMBEE
Just a note. I passed through France yesterday and this morning. I have not seen any motorcyclist (and there are many on the roads) be they British, French or any other nationality sporting these stickers on their helmets.
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Knowing the level of French arrogance and animosity towards foreigners - do you really want to risk getting a Gendarme on a bad day?
I would opt instead for getting stickers made into this shape 
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8 Jun 2013
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Redboots wrote:
Quote:
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Yes... but... there is NO fine for not having them as of last March... no brainer
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Great, another item less to carry. I recall someone here posted to place your breathalyser test under your seat, whereupon on being asked by the gendarmerie to present your breathalyser, you find them both broken due to unfortunate pressure from the seat.
Scootergal, I have an inkling you may have a dislike for ze French, ja, wiss de finger sticker, ja 
_____
Paul
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8 Jun 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockwallaby
Scootergal, I have an inkling you may have a dislike for ze French
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Probably a dislike of the stupid laws they keep inventing here in the name of road safety.
I live in the sticks and the number of people that drink and drive is huge. There is little chance of getting caught. They tend to do breath test on a Saturday lunch time. No bugger is about to be caught 
A few months ago I was in the local bar and the Gendarmes came in at about 9pm and said they were doing a control by the graveyard until 1am. If anyone wanted to leave before then, please use the other road. How civilised
John
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13 Jun 2013
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I visited a large motorcycle dealer when I was in Montpelier, France two weeks ago. I asked them what the story was regarding foreign bikers and the requirement for stickers. The staff told me that they had never heard of a foreigner (i.e. someone with a driver licence and a motorcycle from a country other than France) being given a hard time by the gendarmes about helmet stickers.
Nevertheless, I asked to purchase 4 stickers, so that I could put them on my helmet and be compliant with the law. They told me that they did not 'sell' the stickers, instead, they provided them free of charge to their customers. The clerk then reached under the counter and retrieved a giant roll of stickers, ripped off a set of 4 of them, and gave them to me. He was actually quite impressed that as a visitor to his country, I even knew about the regulation concerning stickers.
So... my conclusion is that visitors to France really don't need to worry either way about these stickers. By that I mean you can ride without them, or, if you wish to comply with the rule, I suspect that most large motorcycle dealers will just give you 4 stickers without any charge.
Michael
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13 Jun 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pumbaa
Is it also compulsory for motorcyclists to carry two breathalyzer test, same as the motorists?
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I understand that the French government has announced that they will not be enforcing the requirement for anyone to carry a breathalyser test kit for some time (at least until the end of 2013), this because the companies that manufacture these portable kits are unable to keep up with the demand for them as a result of this rule being put in place.
So, for this riding season at least, nothing to worry about.
Michael
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13 Jun 2013
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Thanks Michael for that update, much appreciated and gives some extra re-assurance.
Paul
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10 Jul 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PanEuropean
they had never heard of a foreigner (i.e. someone with a driver licence and a motorcycle from a country other than France) being given a hard time by the gendarmes about helmet stickers.
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neither have I nor any of the guys in the bike club here. (Burgundy) None of us have ever been hassled about it either (& I've been stopped for usual checks a number of times in the last few years)
Quote:
Originally Posted by PanEuropean
So... my conclusion is that visitors to France really don't need to worry either way about these stickers.
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same here
Quote:
Originally Posted by PanEuropean
I understand that the French government has announced that they will not be enforcing the requirement for anyone to carry a breathalyser test kit for some time (at least until the end of 2013), this because the companies that manufacture these portable kits are unable to keep up with the demand for them as a result of this rule being put in place.
So, for this riding season at least, nothing to worry about.
Michael
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last I heard on this was that the breathaliser law has been rescinded for the very obvious reasons that I have already stated elsewhere. The law obliges you to carry one, in working order, the gendarme cannot oblige you to use it as this would put you outside the law (a gendarme is not allowed to oblige you to break the law). If the law says you must carry two, same rules apply. Someone took a long time to figure out that no one was going to use however many things the law obliged you to carry. Meanwhile, the maker of the objects (allegedly a relative of a high placed politician & director of the "campaign pour la securité routiere" who's study & statistics prompted the law...) has become a millionaire... & added about 20 million euros of VAT to the states coffers!
me? bitter old cynic...? not half!
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10 Jul 2013
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I bought four HU reflective ones; they look fine, and it's one fewer thing to 'find' wrong if stopped! 
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11 Jul 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MooN
neither have I nor any of the guys in the bike club here. (Burgundy) None of us have ever been hassled about it either (& I've been stopped for usual checks a number of times in the last few years)
same here
last I heard on this was that the breathaliser law has been rescinded for the very obvious reasons that I have already stated elsewhere. The law obliges you to carry one, in working order, the gendarme cannot oblige you to use it as this would put you outside the law (a gendarme is not allowed to oblige you to break the law). If the law says you must carry two, same rules apply. Someone took a long time to figure out that no one was going to use however many things the law obliged you to carry. Meanwhile, the maker of the objects (allegedly a relative of a high placed politician & director of the "campaign pour la securité routiere" who's study & statistics prompted the law...) has become a millionaire... & added about 20 million euros of VAT to the states coffers!
me? bitter old cynic...? not half! |
Sorry I'm being dim but how would the gendarme be making you break the law if he asked you to use a breathalyser?
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11 Jul 2013
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If the law says you must carry 2 breathalysers, by making you use one, you then are only carrying one, and so would be breaking the law.
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12 Jul 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lowuk
If the law says you must carry 2 breathalysers, by making you use one, you then are only carrying one, and so would be breaking the law.
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Ah right gotcha. I hadn't thought if it that way. 
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13 Jul 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lowuk
If the law says you must carry 2 breathalysers, by making you use one, you then are only carrying one, and so would be breaking the law.
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Ah, but they don't make you use your own if they stop you, they get you to blow into their,
more accurate machines.
You carry them so that you can check yourself before you start your vehicle, or as
we used to do as teachers out on the lash to see who could get their breathalyser to go red the quickest.
The law states you should have one ready in your vehicle, it's up to you whether you use it or not, so if you're the type of person who would test yourself buy enough to make sure you always have one spare.
Also forget satnavs that warn you of speed locations are illegal as are detectors and speed cameras are now not signed, in fact they're often camouflaged, ready to catch out the driver or rider.
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