As of today, July 1, 2012, you must have an alcohol testing kit in your car when you drive in France. If you get pulled over (even if you are totally sober) and do not have the test on you, you will get a ticket.

Law is in effect today, fines will be issued as of Nov 1, 2012.

So if you rent a car in Europe and decide to drive in France, make sure you have the test. The kit runs about $2 and is available at gas stations.

Most experts believe the tests are highly unreliable, but the President of the French Automobile Club stated that "having the kit in the glove compartment is a constant reminder of the risk factor alcohol and increases the sensitivity of a driver to drunk driving.". Obviously Didier Bollecker has no clue how drunk drivers think.

You can't make this stuff up. Really