D. has been traveling in France for nearly 50 years, but this evening he experienced a first. On our way home on local roads from Le Bistrot du Paradou, as we approached the left turn in the road from Maussane les Alpilles toward Les Baux, we noticed the car before us stopping and three Gendarmes standing by the side of the road with reflective vests, approaching that car. We then saw them approaching us, pointing for D. to pull forward, and with a gadget in their hands the first one walked to the driver's side. We knew immediately we were in for an interesting and novel experience - a French breathalyzer test in the roadway.
D. got confused about the directions and whether to exhale or inhale, and the Gendarmes were laughing, and trying to help him, the two others came over when it became clear that we were Americans. D. was thankful that although he had two glasses of wine with dinner (as always I do not drink), we had sat for about an hour after his last drink, through cheese and dessert and paying the bill.
Eventually, after a few attempts, I don't believe they got an accurate read, they let us go. It was certainly a life lesson that even in France they are paying attention to drunk driving.
You may want to take a look at this excellent explanation of French drunk driving laws from French Entree:
http://www.frenchentree.com/france-holiday/displayarticle.asp?id=19756
They are not messing around and you want to take this seriously rather than ruin your vacation.
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