Breathalyzer law stalls due to shortage
Published: 09 Oct 2012 11:53 GMT+02:00 | Print version
Updated: 09 Oct 2012 11:53 GMT+02:00
A new law expected to come into effect on November 1, enforcing all drivers to have breathalyzers in their vehicles, has been pushed back to next year because the manufacturers cannot keep up with the demand.
Minister of the, Manual Valls, made the decision yesterday in light of the “stock difficulties reported in certain regions".
The two producers of breathalyzers in France cannot keep up with the orders coming in. At the moment, there is a shortage of 21 million breathalyzers in the country.
The law will now become effective on March 1 2013, when anyone found driving without a breathalyzer could be fined €11.
“Someone miscalculated the capacity of businesses to meet the demands of the market, and drivers have difficulty accepting the idea that they have to have a breathalyzer in their car when they can’t even find one to buy,” said Pierre Chasseray, head of the 40 million motorist association.
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