Road safety – Compulsory breathalyzer on two-wheelers over 50cc –

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Breathalyzer mandatory on two-wheelers over 50cc

Road safety - Compulsory breathalyzer on two-wheelers over 50cc -

On July 1, Decree No. 2012-284 will come into force, which makes the presence of an alcohol test in all motor vehicles mandatory. All, including two-wheelers because this new measure also concerns motorcycles and scooters… except models less than 50 cc (mopeds) !

On July 1, Decree No. 2012-284 will come into force, which makes the presence of an alcohol test in all motor vehicles compulsory. All, including two-wheelers because this new measure also concerns motorcycles and scooters … except models less than 50 cc (mopeds) !

No ball on your brêlon? 11 euros in the f..n !

To fight against the ravages caused by alcohol on French roads (1150 deaths in 2010 according to official figures, or one in three fatal accidents), the government recently decided to make the possession of a breathalyzer compulsory by all " land motor vehicle drivers ".

Chemical breathalyzer

Commonly called a "balloon", the chemical breathalyzer comes in the form of a bag that you blow into, and a tube containing reactive yellow crystals, which turn green in the presence of alcohol.

Unlike an electronic breathalyzer, it is for single use and does not provide information on the exact level of blood alcohol. By turning green, the chemical breathalyzer just indicates that the user is above the legal blood alcohol level (0.5 g of alcohol per liter of blood or 0.25 mg of alcohol per liter of air expired, i.e. two drinks on average).

Chemical breathalysers are sold in supermarkets, pharmacies and certain service stations at a price of € 1.50. Since December 1, 2011, discotheques and night bars are required to make them available to their customers..

For information, the maximum blood alcohol level is generally measured 30 minutes after the absorption of alcohol on an empty stomach, and one hour after if alcohol is ingested during a meal..

Although it varies from person to person, it is generally considered that the blood alcohol level drops on average from 0.10 g to 0.15 g of alcohol per liter of blood in one hour..

By definition, this terminology includes users of two, three or four-wheelers. Bikers and scooter riders – including "MP3-ists"! – are therefore also concerned, but curiously not mopeds (drivers of two-wheelers of less than 50 cc), as specified in Decree No. 2012-284 of February 28, 2012 published in the Official Journal of March 1, 2012.

This decree adds the following article R. 234-7 to the Highway Code: "Any driver of a land motor vehicle, with the exception of a moped, must prove that he has a breathalyzer, not used, available immediately ".

The alcohol test in question, chemical type (see box opposite), must respect the conditions of validity, in particular the expiry date provided by its manufacturer. It must also meet NF compliance standards "whose references are published in the Official Journal of the French Republic", specifies the text signed by Prime Minister François Fillon, Minister of the Interior Claude Gueant and Minister of Justice Michel Mercier.

This decree, which will come into force on July 1, 2012, will result in a fine of € 11 from the following November 1 in the event of non-compliance with this new regulation. But without point deduction, fortunately !

On the other hand, remember that driving a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of between 0.5 and 0.8 g per liter of blood is punishable by a withdrawal of 6 points, plus a fixed fine of 135 euros. and a possible license suspension – up to three years – if the offender appears in court.

Missing space…

Interesting in substance, this new measure is however likely to arouse the "grumbling" of many users of two-wheelers, insofar as it does not take into account the specificities of their vehicles: some motorcycles are completely devoid of storage space , where to store the breathalyzer? In a backpack that you have to remember to take every time ?

Likewise, what about the reliability of the reagent of a balloon stored under a saddle where it will be exposed to humidity, dust, vibrations and large variations in temperature? So many questions that remain unanswered…

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