Breathalyser -where buy

[ruhall]

I am in France at the moment at was expecting to see breathalysers for sale at supermarkets or markets, but haven't seen any yet.

Has anybody seen them on general sale in France, and if so, where?

I understand the law won't be enforced until November, even though it takes effect in July, but as a regular traveller I'd like to stock up on a few.

[Le Pop]

They will be on sale all over the place soon, for only a couple of euro apparently. You will be force-sold them on the ferries in the same way that they currently sell headlamp deflectors!

[magooagain]

Pharmacie's will be the best place's to buy in France. They are allways out of stock at the moment !

[Lotus Notes]

I have seen a whole load in Auchan, St Priest. Have a look on their web site?

[Cunning Punt]

Plenty available in the auto parts chains: Feuvert, Norauto, Point S ...

I bought mine from Norauto, a 5-pack for 3 or 4 euros I think.

In hindsight, that may have been a mistake. I only need one, to sling in the glovebox, never to be used.

Oh yes: they have expiry dates (mine are Feb 2014), so you need to remember to renew them every couple of years.

Hope that helps,

'punt

[ruhall]

Thanks folks, I'll follow up the suggestions.

[Tazio77]

Bought mine at Leclercs, they were next to the car bits and pieces, 1.20 euro I seem to remember

[ruhall]

Okay, I managed to buy a couple at Auchan - thanks. Also noted re expiry date, 4/2014 - had to fold over the wrapper to find it though, it certainly wasn't obvious.
Looks like a nice little earner for some

[geordieexpat]

Carrefour sell them

[sider]

Am i right to assume that although the law is now in place, they're not prosecuting until November?

We go away on Weds night and i've not got any yet. Bit late for an ebay buy (circa £4 for two) and i know the ferry companies will want a small fortune for theirs. Plan is to perhaps get off the boat at Calais, hour or so driving, then a lunch time stop at a local supermarket just off the motorway, i.e Auchan, Leclerc or Carrefour and grab one there.

Also, what's the craic with radar detectors now? I've got camera locations in my TomTom - is it a case of turning off the warnings or do i need to do a full update? (Saying that, i've not got the time to mess about with TomTom's 'really helpful and easy to do' software updates). I may well run the risk on this one this year.

[Thom]

Correct, they won't fine anyone for not having breathanalysers until November 1st.

[Lotus Notes]

sider said:

Am i right to assume that although the law is now in place, they're not prosecuting until November?

We go away on Weds night and i've not got any yet. Bit late for an ebay buy (circa £4 for two) and i know the ferry companies will want a small fortune for theirs. Plan is to perhaps get off the boat at Calais, hour or so driving, then a lunch time stop at a local supermarket just off the motorway, i.e Auchan, Leclerc or Carrefour and grab one there.

Also, what's the craic with radar detectors now? I've got camera locations in my TomTom - is it a case of turning off the warnings or do i need to do a full update? (Saying that, i've not got the time to mess about with TomTom's 'really helpful and easy to do' software updates). I may well run the risk on this one this year.

I can openly say, France has ran out of breathalysers (near Lyon anyway) - So don't bother looking on this occasion!

As for the TomTom radar detectors, you need to demonstrate that the radar mapping is switched off. So, either switch them off or have a quick passenger..

[sider]

Thanks chaps!

[Chris_]

Thom said:

Correct, they won't fine anyone for not having breathanalysers until November 1st.

This has now been put back to 1st March 2013 more info

[Expatloon]

Latst on this daft measure, it's been postponed indefinitely which is tant amount to being scrapped.

http://www.service-public.fr/actualites/002384.htm...

English translation here.

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F...

[magooagain]

Someone has made a heap of money out of this.

[Expatloon]

Actually no, the main producer, Contralco, (chaired by Sarkos buddy who also also just happened to be the main lobbyist for the law in the first place) have invested big bucks in ramping up production to cater for the anticipated ongoing demand but now see the that evaporating in front of them.

The shops here are finally flooded with the wretched things but since the law had already been postponed until March nobody was buying and they sure as hell won't be now !

ho ho ho !

[LADANIVA]

If you had an Intermache loyality card you could get a breathalyser for free

[Stig]

Expatloon said:

Actually no, the main producer, Contralco, (chaired by Sarkos buddy who also also just happened to be the main lobbyist for the law in the first place) have invested big bucks in ramping up production to cater for the anticipated ongoing demand but now see the that evaporating in front of them.

The shops here are finally flooded with the wretched things but since the law had already been postponed until March nobody was buying and they sure as hell won't be now !

ho ho ho !

I love a bit of schadenfreude with this! Serves the self-serving politico right.

[Driller]

Expatloon said:

Latst on this daft measure, it's been postponed indefinitely which is tant amount to being scrapped.

http://www.service-public.fr/actualites/002384.htm...

English translation here.

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F...

I could have told everyone this from the start. I never bought any of these feckin' things and I've never bought all the other so called obligatoire st to put in the boot either.

This is France, do as the French do