From July 1st anyone driving in or through France will be required to carry a breathalyser kit. European couriers and hauliers must ensure they have a single-use disposable kit in their vehicle or risk a fine.
The new rule is aimed at reducing drink-driving problems in the country which were responsible for around 4,000 deaths last year. It is believed that police will not be enforcing the rules or fines until November, but couriers are being urged to purchase the kits now and get into the habit of ‘self-testing’ before driving if they have been drinking the night before.
The kits cost less than £3 and the Freight Transport Association believe French Police will use their own, more sophisticated testing kits if they suspect someone exceeds the drink-drive limit. However, the kits only last around two years so they will need replacing regularly.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this, especially if you are a European Courier who regularly travels to or through France. Do you think the initiative will have any effect? Should the UK bring in similar rules? Leave a comment below, or let us know on Twitter or Facebook.