-
French town set to replace speed bump with ‘intelligent’ traffic lights
Light turns green when approaching drivers are travelling within the speed limit
-
Drought worsens as 83,000 people in France left without tap water
Lack of rain continues to threaten more than a million with the loss of tap water
-
French weekly weather forecast October 5 - 9: much cooler and rain
Temperatures to drop by up to 10C with a definitive shift to autumn weather
More drivers in France to face breath-test
More drivers could be forced to use breath-test devices before starting a car under new plans from the Interior Ministry to cut drink-driving.
Minister Christophe Castaner said the units should be used more as an alternative to a ban and to cut accidents, while helping drink-drivers who face losing work if their licences are removed.
Prefects can decide whether to use the system but only 55 departments do so at present.
The technology is mandatory in school buses but car units are expensive, costing €1,700 to fit, though they can be rented for €100 a month.
The legal limit in France is 0.5g/l, or about two units – two small beers or glasses of wine – or 0.2g/l for new drivers on probationary licences.
The offence rises from an ordinary fine and points off the licence to the more serious délit category from 0.8g/l.
The use of the new equipment as an alternative to a ban is allowed at the 0.8-1.8g/l level.
