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Post by JohnP on Jan 26, 2013 7:46:50 GMT 1
I remember in the 70's when the breathalizer was introduced in the UK. Everyone ignored it and thought they would never get caught. I was in my teens at the time and I have to admit I was the same. it was not until I was 21 and took my PSV licence that I realized my career depended on my licence that I stopped drinking and driving.
From it's introduction it took a generation before the majority took drink/driving seriously and it eventually started to become an antisocial thing to do. I think it will take the same time here. My impression is that in rural areas anyway, there is little concern for the law and it is still acceptable behaviour in the minds of most French people to drive when you have had a skinful.
Eventually the message will get through here to all but the small minority, but we are not there yet. Carrying a breathalizer will not be a factor in this, however I am sure Sarcozy's friend made a fortune out of this, which was surely the only reason for passing this stupid law in the first place.
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Post by meldrew on Jan 26, 2013 10:43:52 GMT 1
I agree with the comments about 'rural drinking'. When i moved to France 14 years ago it was totally commonplace to go to a party, get very lubricated and drive home using the 'back roads', I was told by many locals that the Flicks could only stop you in a street lit by street lamps,and as our village turned these off at 10.30pm then you were safe! If you drove into a ditch, if you could get a local with a tractor to drag you out (and I did this for many French farmers in the ditch by my house after the Commune enlarged it!) then that was fine, if not leave it till the morning! Under no circumstances call the emergency services unless you were close to death!!
Now in this enlightened age, I come across Flicks in country lanes at all hours, and their favourite pastime in our area is to target villages at about 4.30pm on Sundays, trying to get people on their way home after Sunday lunch with the family - be aware!!!!
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Post by wibble on Jan 26, 2013 13:48:29 GMT 1
Gotta agree - for myself I never drink and drive without a car I could not work, too much to lose
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2013 14:38:01 GMT 1
We don't drink and drive either.One drinks the other drives home.Oh has cut to many people out of cars to allow either of us to drink drive.
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