New motoring laws have come into force in France, making it compulsory for drivers to carry breathalyser kits. But what other rules should Britons know about before driving on the continent?
New motoring laws come into force in France from 1 July, making it compulsory for drivers to carry breathalyser kits in their vehicles.
Motorists and motorcyclists will face an on-the-spot fine unless they travel with a single-use breathalyser device as part of a government drive to reduce drink-drive related deaths.
The French government hopes to save around 500 lives a year by introducing the new laws, which will encourage drivers who suspect they may be over the limit to test themselves with the kits.
The new regulations, which exclude mopeds, will be fully enforced and include foreigner drivers from 1 November. Anyone failing to produce a breathalyser after that date will receive an 11 euro fine.
Stuart Mee, managing director, of the European drive holiday portal Drive Alive said that while drivers by law must carry at least one breathalyser kit, the are advised to carry a spare one to replace any they use.
French police have warned they will be carrying out random checks on drivers crossing into France via ferries and through the Channel Tunnel to enforce the new rules.
Retailers in the UK have reported a massive rise in breathalyser sales as British drivers travelling across the Channel try to avoid falling foul of the new legislation.
Car accessory retailer Halfords said it is selling one kit every minute of the day, and has rushed extra stock into stores to cope with the unprecedented demand.
Six out of 10 Britons travelling to France are not aware they have to carry two French government-approved breathalysers – showing the symbol NF – at all times, according to the company.
The breathalyser rules in France are just the latest in a number of rules introduced over the years that British drivers should know about when travelling on the continent.
For decades British drivers crossing the channel have had to headlamp converters, which are compulsory in France.
Visibility vests are also compulsory in France, and in Austria, Belgium, Italy, Norway, Portugal and Spain. Drive Alive has predicted they could become compulsory throughout the EU.
A warning triangle has been compulsory for motorists since 2008.
France has recently banned GPS and satnav systems that detect the location of speed cameras, with the threat of a 1,500 euro fine and vehicle confiscation for those who flout the rules.
A survey found that one in 10 people presume the alcohol limit for drivers in Europe will be higher than at home, when it is actually considerably lower in France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
The French drink-driving limit is 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood – substantially less than the UK limit of 80mg.
The Halfords survey revealed widespread ignorance of foreign driving laws. One in five drivers was not carrying headlamp convertors.
More than a quarter of motorists who wear glasses to drive had a spare pair with them – which is a legal requirement in Spain.
Stuart Mee said that while most of these rules “make sense”, he is less convinced about the breathalyser rule.
“The danger of making people carry a breathalyser kit is that people think they will be fine as long as they are under the limit.”
“That’s not how to approach it. You just don’t drink and dive.”