ARmy Rumour SErvice

I got talking to a copper in Normandy last summer. He said the traffic police didn't bother stopping cars with foreign plates because of the extra paperwork. They don't even prosecute foreigners for speeding by their very few gatso jobs.

So I wouldn't worry too much unless you've had a total skinful and are driving your artic on the wrong side of the road.

If you are stopped, just say "quoi? bleuh" and shrug your shoulders. All will be well.

Originally Posted by King_of_the_Burpas

I got talking to a copper in Normandy last summer. He said the traffic police didn't bother stopping cars with foreign plates because of the extra paperwork.

That's changed, then. With their on-the-spot fines to be paid in cash immediately or face impounding of cars stopping Brits appeared to be a national sport over there.

Originally Posted by CaptainPlume

That's changed, then. With their on-the-spot fines to be paid in cash immediately or face impounding of cars stopping Brits appeared to be a national sport over there.

You must be thinking of Srpska, squire. The frogs have got a lot more tolerant, unless you actually kill somebody.

Originally Posted by King_of_the_Burpas

You must be thinking of Srpska, squire. The frogs have got a lot more tolerant, unless you actually kill somebody.

Definitely thinking of the Frogs. It was a few years back, but there was a phalanx of Frog Plod outside every ferry port with a glint in their eye looking for Brits. Probably looking for revenge for Agincourt or something.

Originally Posted by Recce19

Still after an answer, as to who sells them here in Germany!...Anyone?

Does your local monopolistic emporium of glittering delights not flog them (at a considerable non-profit-making mark-up)?

Recce19,
I got a Multipack of five for £11.95 from French Breathalyzer, French Breathalyzer Law, Breathalyzer for France, French Breath Tester, French Breathalysers, NF Approved Breathalyzer, France Drink Driving Law, Breathalyzer for France, NF breathalyzer, nf breathalyser They took a couple of months to come through because the manufacturers had to ramp up production.

I now have one spare (gave the In-Laws a couple).

Shiny

Originally Posted by Recce19

Still after an answer, as to who sells them here in Germany!...Anyone?

Not sure about availability in all countries but had read that they were currently difficult to obtain outside of France but by the end of July that should have eased up a bit. There's no issue with supply in France and they are available at a lot of locations such as the bar after you've finished off several liters of finest plonk.

One important point is that the kit must have a frog quality mark on it i.e. NF along with the European quality mark. Without the NF mark they're not valid.

Read that the up to the end of October the rozzers are only going to issue warnings if you're not carrying one in the car, unless of course your completely legless. After that its a fine of 11 euros.

Just back from France, no problem finding the things at petrol stations and the Gendarmes, contrary to the Daily Heil scare stories, are not targeting UK plated cars on mass to issue tickets for a lack of breathalysers or having a sat nav that picks up the speed traps.