France's road safety body backs breathalyser law
The introduction of mandatory breathalyser kits in all cars in France appeared to be back on the table on Wednesday with the French government’s road safety advisory body backing to the move. The association also wants signposts warning of speed cameras.
A law to introduce compulsory alcohol test kits for all cars in France was introduced last July but its implementation was hit by numerous hiccups and last month Interior Minister Manuel Valls suspended the legislation.
Valls said it was on hold until the National Council for Road Safety (CNSR) published its findings on the issue.
With the CNSR giving the law its seal of approval on Wednesday it now looks likely the legislation, which affects all motorists including drivers of foreign registered cars and mopeds, will be fully implemented.
The law, which was brought in to try and cut the number of road deaths linked to drink driving, required all drivers to carry an unused breathalyser test in their cars, either disposable ones or a reusable digital device. Any motorists caught flouting the law were subject to an €11 fine.
However motorists caught without the tests are unlikely to be fined the €11 with the CNSR recommending financial penalties be dropped.
“Dropping the financial sanction will encourage the many French who have bought the test kits to use them,” said the president of CNSR Armand Jung.
The government is due to make a further announcement on alcohol test kits later this month.
In another boost for motorists Jung said the CNSR would also be recommending that any new fixed speed cameras are accompanied by a sign to alert drivers to their presence.
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A law to introduce compulsory alcohol test kits for all cars in France was introduced last July but its implementation was hit by numerous hiccups and last month Interior Minister Manuel Valls suspended the legislation.
Valls said it was on hold until the National Council for Road Safety (CNSR) published its findings on the issue.
With the CNSR giving the law its seal of approval on Wednesday it now looks likely the legislation, which affects all motorists including drivers of foreign registered cars and mopeds, will be fully implemented.
The law, which was brought in to try and cut the number of road deaths linked to drink driving, required all drivers to carry an unused breathalyser test in their cars, either disposable ones or a reusable digital device. Any motorists caught flouting the law were subject to an €11 fine.
However motorists caught without the tests are unlikely to be fined the €11 with the CNSR recommending financial penalties be dropped.
“Dropping the financial sanction will encourage the many French who have bought the test kits to use them,” said the president of CNSR Armand Jung.
The government is due to make a further announcement on alcohol test kits later this month.
In another boost for motorists Jung said the CNSR would also be recommending that any new fixed speed cameras are accompanied by a sign to alert drivers to their presence.
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