Now the French say holidaymakers have to carry a breathalyser kit in their car(1)
They have penalised British drivers for not carrying a warning triangle or a fluorescent safety vest.
Now French police have another weapon to wield against holidaymakers – a law insisting all motorists have a breathalyser kit in their cars.
The gadgets, designed so that drivers can test themselves to ensure they are under drink-drive limits, are the latest addition to a list of rules for driving on the other side of the Channel.
Bon voyage: Motorists travelling to France after July will be legally required to carry a breathalyser kit in the car
The measure, which will come into force in July, will apply to anyone travelling through France by car.
Critics however have cast doubt on the accuracy of the kits in being able to tell if a driver is over the limit. Others said it was simply another attempt to make money out of foreign drivers.
Motorists found with between 50mg and 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood can be fined 135 euros (£112) and lose six out of 12 points on their driving licence. Above that, a driver risks a fine of 4,500 euros (£3,744), losing their licence and being sent to prison for up to two years.
The French drink-driving limit of 50mg is much lower than in the UK where the limit is 80mg.
Motorists are being urged to carry at least two of the single-use breathalysers so that if they have checked themselves with one they can still show police they have a ready-to-use kit if stopped.
