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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last I heard on this was that the breathaliser law has been rescinded for the very obvious reasons that I have already stated elsewhere.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! 
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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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13 Jul 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexlebrit
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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......which tends to indicate that the French system is designed to collect cash rather than to deter speeding.
I have never understood how those cameras remain so "immaculate", being sited at ground level - in the UK they would be covered in graffiti including spray paint on the camera lens.
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13 Jul 2013
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And I used to think of France as such a civilised place to ride  These days though, what with sky high fuel prices, unmarked cameras in every hedge and a whole bunch of here today, gone tomorrow, not quite certain the day after rules like breathalysers, stickers, first aid kits, glow in the dark jackets etc the "liberte" bit seems to be only a fond memory. Can only be a matter of time before the German "different tyre for every day of the week" regulation crosses over the border.
It seems to be making the ferry companies happy though - they're flogging just about every possible stay legal gadget you can think of at vastly inflated prices on the ships. They even have someone handing out "You must have this stuff in France" leaflets as you arrive in your loading lane at Dover.
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