New Breathalyser law in France

[rb]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18662555

Got to carry a breathalyser by law in your vehicle at all times....seems rather ridiculous as I am sure most drunk drivers won't bother using them. Wonder if Quebec will follow suit ?

[uber_shnitz]

Hmm yeah seems a bit pointless as if they catch you they'll have their own breathalyzers to use on you.

I don't think this'll catch on here, Quebec or elsewhere. Quebec has been tightening its driving rules (especially for new drivers it's a pain now) for years, but this doesn't seem like it'd really do much other than make people buy and stuff an extra thing in their car.

[Piro21]

It's only a stopgap measure to mandatory breathalyser-ignition interlocks in every car. A draconian move, sure, but if any government is actually serious about it's drunk driving laws it makes no sense that it would allow people to break them and only rely on cops to stop them.

[Ziggy007]

Here is a novel concept to curb drunken driving, at least in Toronto, run public transit after last call.

Why you would ever shut down the subway at 1am, when the bars stop serving at 2am, and people funnel out around 2:30 will never make sense to me.

[Royalsoldier]

Here is a novel concept to curb drunken driving, at least in Toronto, run public transit after last call.

Why you would ever shut down the subway at 1am, when the bars stop serving at 2am, and people funnel out around 2:30 will never make sense to me.

This.

Public transportation 24/7 is the solution (with added security guards).

The reason people use their vehicles is because they want to avoid high taxi prices and convince themselves that by using their vehicles, they'll be saving 50$~.

[uber_shnitz]

Yes and when they increase the taxes and fares to accommodate 24/7 public transit people will complain about that :razz:

It'd be interesting to note the population base of people who'd use public transit past 12-1am (where really only bars, clubs and McD's are your designated activities) to see if the population base is large enough to warrant keeping it open or maybe keep it open but at half or quarter speeds.

[Coz4k]

http://boiteascience.com/documents/image/ambassadeurs/jean-marie-de-koninck.jpg

Here we go.

[akira1971]

Here is a novel concept to curb drunken driving, at least in Toronto, run public transit after last call.

Why you would ever shut down the subway at 1am, when the bars stop serving at 2am, and people funnel out around 2:30 will never make sense to me.

Because running a subway system is not cheap? I believe the breakeven number is 15,000 riders per hour on the subway - which I'm pretty sure the TTC doesn't hit after midnight.


Public transportation 24/7 is the solution (with added security guards).

The reason people use their vehicles is because they want to avoid high taxi prices and convince themselves that by using their vehicles, they'll be saving 50$~.
There is a public transportation system in Toronto - it's called the TTC Blue Night (http://www.ttc.ca/images/fixedImages/TTC-bluenight.pdf) and it covers every major street.

[zz000ter]

A draconian move, sure, but if any government is actually serious about it's drunk driving laws it makes no sense that it would allow people to break them and only rely on cops to stop them.

I would support this!

[Takami]

I think this is not completely ridiculous. My understanding is that you are under the limit so long as you have no more than 1 bottle of regular beer or 1 glass of red wine (not filled to the top), while hard liquor will push you over the limit with even 1 glass. The problem is when you are close to the borderline of being over the limit: eg, you had 2 glass of wine, but you've also stopped drinking for a few hours. Other than maybe feeling tired after a long night out, you feel sober. That's the point when you sort of scratch your head and wonder what would happen if the police pulls you over. Anyone ever had this?

[mavericknm]

I actually really like this idea. For the longest time I've wanted to know how many drinks (if any) I can have before I'm over limit. But no one on the internet can say because even body weight isn't a good enough predictor of BAC saturation. Anyone know where I can buy a couple of these? How accurate are these?

Oh and this excludes mopeds? Those guys are crazy lol.

[EPcjay]

I actually really like this idea. For the longest time I've wanted to know how many drinks (if any) I can have before I'm over limit. But no one on the internet can say because even body weight isn't a good enough predictor of BAC saturation. Anyone know where I can buy a couple of these? How accurate are these?

Oh and this excludes mopeds? Those guys are crazy lol.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/breathalyzer-with-parking-timer-and-flashlight-2254

[manixc]

I'm not unopposed to the idea provided there's a cheap source of breathalyser.

[mavericknm]

I actually really like this idea. For the longest time I've wanted to know how many drinks (if any) I can have before I'm over limit. But no one on the internet can say because even body weight isn't a good enough predictor of BAC saturation. Anyone know where I can buy a couple of these? How accurate are these?

Oh and this excludes mopeds? Those guys are crazy lol.

http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/transport/cars/safety-and-advice/personal-breathalysers.aspx
Don't know if I can trust that beyond a fun novelty.

[RandomCDN]

Here is an alcohawk for sale.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/AlcoHAWK-Digital-Alcohol-Tester-Breathalyzer-PT500-GB-/350573060572?pt=US_Breathalyzers&hash=item519fc861dc


What I wonder is if you pass the test with your portable throwaway verison. Does that hold up in court? If the expensive versions have this disclaimer.

"This device is not to be used to determine if the subject is legal or able to operate any equipment or vehicle"

even the professional versions have these disclaimers.

11. You cannot use the results of this unit in court of law.
12. Do not use this unit to determine if you or anyone else can operate
any vehicle or machinery.

So whats the point again? maybe just this "He adds that the new rule is proving a bonanza for manufacturers, of which there are only two in France"

[mavericknm]

even the professional versions have these disclaimers.

11. You cannot use the results of this unit in court of law.
12. Do not use this unit to determine if you or anyone else can operate
any vehicle or machinery.

So whats the point again? maybe just this "He adds that the new rule is proving a bonanza for manufacturers, of which there are only two in France"

Yeah this is the only thing that bugs me. I can take my own breathalyzer but blow it on the cop's and still face legal consequence and not be able to sue the manufacturer for a faulty product. Could we get screwed any harder?

[M@rk]

This.

Public transportation 24/7 is the solution (with added security guards).

The reason people use their vehicles is because they want to avoid high taxi prices and convince themselves that by using their vehicles, they'll be saving 50$~.

Why should tax payers pay for inefficiently running a system to 2:30am just for those who party? I'm pretty sure the percentage of people utilizing such a system would be pretty small. If you can blow $100 on drinks and partying, you can pay $50 for a taxi. That, or kill someone or get arrested at a checkpoint. Your choice.

[uber_shnitz]

Well like I said, if they catch you and test you, they'll be using their breathalyzers anyways so the ones which will be looked at by the legal eye will still be the cops. Yours might be used as a "gauging" factor but it'll hold no legal value.

[GangStarr]

LOL at the "11 euro" fine...