The Front Page. - Copy 268 ( Burlington House Fire, breathalysers in France. )
2 July 2012
Running a tad late with this item but still very relevant for the army of drivers 'going continental'..there have been several threads in our forum already...but here is the latest info..
Drivers heading to or through France this summer should note the new requirement to carry a breathalyser kit in their vehicles from 1 July.
The legislation means that everybody driving on French roads should be able to produce an unused self test kit, marked with the French ‘NF’ certification standard.
The general advice is to carry two kits so if one is used, having a spare keeps you on the right side of the law. The fine for not having a kit is €11 although French police are expected to operate a grace period, until November, when no penalties will be issued.
Introduction of the new legislation was due last year but was put back to this summer due to the challenge of producing vast numbers of the kits. P&O Ferries alone carries more than one million cars and a million lorries between the UK and France each year. The company has now secured bulk supplies of twin packs of the kits to offer on its ships.
Another important point for driving in France is that the drink driving limit is 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, much lower than the UK’s 80mg.
Other tips from P&O Ferries for continental motoring this summer are:
Spain: indicate on motorways before and after overtaking or face an on the spot fine.
Germany: contrary to popular belief, most of the Autobahn network does have speed limits.
Lights: convert them as dazzling other drivers is discourteous at best, and can cause accidents.
Drink: alcohol limits are much lower than in the UK, and zero in the Czech Republic.
Warning kit: triangles and hi-viz jackets are widely required these days.
Speed: spot fines are common, so slow down and relax, you’re on holiday.
D for delight: the minor French D roads are a delight for exploring the real France.
Check: do check the driving regulations of countries you’re visiting. National tourist board websites are a good place to look.
Pictured: P&O Ferries’ Marie Helene-Daniel stocks up with breathalysers ahead of the new law for all drivers on French roads to have a self test kit from 1 July.
Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the fire in Burlington House
........as shown in the pictures below.
The boys from Dover, aged 14 and 15, attended the town’s police station on Monday (2 July 2012) and were interviewed and released on bail until 13 August 2012, pending further investigation.
Kent Police was alerted to the fire at Burlington House in Townwall Street at 7pm (1 July 2012). Staff and guests from a nearby hotel and restuarant were evacuated for about two hours whilst fire fighters from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service dealt with the fire. Road closures also had to be put in place.
This was the scene at 7.20pm on sunday evening. Suddenly smoke could be seen rising from the monolithic and deeply unpopular Burlington House. Within minutes sirens could be heard approaching from all different directions as several fire appliances made their way to the scene. At that stage it was difficult to tell as to whether the whole thing would be ablaze in minutes as the smoke got ever worse as time ticked along.
However a short while later with the firecrews in attendance the danger of it all becoming tinderwood and twisted metal was averted. And before long all returned to normal. As ever great work by the fire crews saved the day. Today monday all looks calm again and normality has been restored. Burlington House is due to be demolished as part of the DTIZ plans...eventually. See also our Forum. PB.
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Running a tad late with this item but still very relevant for the army of drivers 'going continental'..there have been several threads in our forum already...but here is the latest info..Drivers heading to or through France this summer should note the new requirement to carry a breathalyser kit in their vehicles from 1 July.
The legislation means that everybody driving on French roads should be able to produce an unused self test kit, marked with the French ‘NF’ certification standard.
The general advice is to carry two kits so if one is used, having a spare keeps you on the right side of the law. The fine for not having a kit is €11 although French police are expected to operate a grace period, until November, when no penalties will be issued.
Introduction of the new legislation was due last year but was put back to this summer due to the challenge of producing vast numbers of the kits. P&O Ferries alone carries more than one million cars and a million lorries between the UK and France each year. The company has now secured bulk supplies of twin packs of the kits to offer on its ships.
Another important point for driving in France is that the drink driving limit is 50mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, much lower than the UK’s 80mg.
Other tips from P&O Ferries for continental motoring this summer are:
Spain: indicate on motorways before and after overtaking or face an on the spot fine.
Germany: contrary to popular belief, most of the Autobahn network does have speed limits.
Lights: convert them as dazzling other drivers is discourteous at best, and can cause accidents.
Warning kit: triangles and hi-viz jackets are widely required these days.
Speed: spot fines are common, so slow down and relax, you’re on holiday.
D for delight: the minor French D roads are a delight for exploring the real France.
Check: do check the driving regulations of countries you’re visiting. National tourist board websites are a good place to look.
Pictured: P&O Ferries’ Marie Helene-Daniel stocks up with breathalysers ahead of the new law for all drivers on French roads to have a self test kit from 1 July.
LATEST ON BURLINGTON HOUSE FIRE:
Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the fire in Burlington House
........as shown in the pictures below.
The boys from Dover, aged 14 and 15, attended the town’s police station on Monday (2 July 2012) and were interviewed and released on bail until 13 August 2012, pending further investigation.
Kent Police was alerted to the fire at Burlington House in Townwall Street at 7pm (1 July 2012). Staff and guests from a nearby hotel and restuarant were evacuated for about two hours whilst fire fighters from the Kent Fire and Rescue Service dealt with the fire. Road closures also had to be put in place.
Man with a View.
Burlington House on Fire!
This was the scene at 7.20pm on sunday evening. Suddenly smoke could be seen rising from the monolithic and deeply unpopular Burlington House. Within minutes sirens could be heard approaching from all different directions as several fire appliances made their way to the scene. At that stage it was difficult to tell as to whether the whole thing would be ablaze in minutes as the smoke got ever worse as time ticked along.
However a short while later with the firecrews in attendance the danger of it all becoming tinderwood and twisted metal was averted. And before long all returned to normal. As ever great work by the fire crews saved the day. Today monday all looks calm again and normality has been restored. Burlington House is due to be demolished as part of the DTIZ plans...eventually. See also our Forum. PB.