French breathalyser law comes into effect July 1

A new law that decrees all drivers in France must carry a breathalyser kit comes into effect on July 1. The law also applies to all vehicles from outside France.

The new law is aimed at reducing the number of deaths on French roads and stipulates that from July 1 all drivers must carry a single-use breathalyser kit, a high-visibility safety vest, and a warning triangle. The Local reported the new law was made official on February 28th and decreed "Every driver of a motorised land vehicle, excluding mopeds, must possess an unused and immediately available breathalyser." Motorists not carrying the kit will be fined €11, but there is a four month grace period until November before fines will be levied for transgressors. The grace period is partly due to the shortage of breathalyser kits available for purchase, according to the BBC. The Institute of Advanced Motorists have warned that the law applies to day trippers and that breathalyser kits will be available for purchase at ferry and terminal crossings to France. The BBC reports "French police say they plan to carry out random checks on those entering the country through the Channel Tunnel, as well as drivers arriving on ferries."