FTA advises businesses to prepare now for French breathalyser rules

Thursday 10 May 2012

From 1 July anyone driving a motorised vehicle in or through France will be required to carry a single-use disposable breathalyser kit, although the enforcement and fines for not carrying one will not commence until 1 November. This measure is intended to reduce drink-driving problems in the country, which were responsible for around 4,000 deaths in 2011, by enabling drivers to test themselves before beginning their journey. FTA understands that the police will use their own, more sophisticated alcohol testing devices if a driver is suspected of being over the drink-drive limit and is asked to take a test.

To help companies prepare for this new legislation, Shopfta will be stocking 'NF'-approved disposable breathalysers, which are recommended for use in France and are economical and simple to use. Rather than waiting to buy them in October or November it is recommended that companies pre-order their breathalysers now in order to guarantee a delivery in October, and to avoid wasting around six months or so of the life of the product, which usually has a shelf life of two years.

Sam Law, General Manager of Shopfta said:

"If companies want to guarantee that they have breathalysers in their vehicles in time for November, when the law is enforced, they need to order now for delivery in October. This pre-ordering will help us to ensure we have sufficient stocks to fulfil all orders, as we are already experiencing extremely high demand."

The breathalysers cost £2.05 + VAT each for FTA members and £2.25 + VAT each for non-members. Details can be found on the Shopfta website at www.shop.fta.co.uk and to pre-order or register their interest companies should call Shopfta on 08717 11 11 11, quoting product code 6271.

FTA Press Office

01892 552255
press.office@fta.co.uk