Have breathalyzer, will travel
If you’re thinking of doing the rounds at en primeur in Bordeaux, or domaine hopping in Burgundy, forget the corkscrew: the one essential thing you’ll need if you’re behind the wheel is a breathalyzer.
New legislation goes into effect in July (though enforcement with a $23 fine for not having one won’t begin until November) that requires all cares, even rentals to have a new, disposable breathalyzer in the vehicle.
France has been cracking down on drunken driving. It became an issue briefly in the last presidential campaign yet road fatalities have remained high. And it’s election year again in France and President Sarkozy is a teetotaler, law and order type. France is now the first country in the world to have such a law on the books.
It’s not as restrictive as an “alcolock” that would require a clean breathalyzer test before being able to start the ignition. The aim is to boost awareness; the blood alcohol level is 0.05%. Being caught above 0.08% BAC (the limit in many states in the US) could result in a $6,000 fine and jail time.
On March 6th, 2012 at 11:11 am ,Quizicat wrote:
It’s a shame they don’t require the Acholocks usage by, at the least, anyone who has ever gotten a second DUI in the US. Getting a little tired of hearing about someone getting their 4th or 5th arrest and/or accident. Other Euro countries have stiffer laws than France.
On March 6th, 2012 at 11:17 am ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Quizicat – True, in Scandinavia, the rates are 0.02.
And, yes, it seems that repeat offenders are key to target.
On March 7th, 2012 at 7:55 am ,Alfonso wrote:
at some of the regional group tastings @ en primeur they have baskets of portable breathalyzers as you exit.
On March 7th, 2012 at 5:36 pm ,Jens wrote:
In Scandinavia meaning Norway and Sweden it’s 0.02, but here in Denmark it’s 0.05.
On March 7th, 2012 at 6:09 pm ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Alfonso – Funny! They are on it.
Jens – Sorry, *parts of* Scandinavia…
On March 13th, 2012 at 7:40 pm ,Maki wrote:
$6,000 fine and jail time… argh that’s too much for me..
On April 20th, 2012 at 3:42 am ,Clare Valley Wines wrote:
A preventive measure… it’s always safe to know your limits especially when you’re driving.