.05 milligrams per millilitre

The fuss over the speed cameras has died down, but the aggressive monitoring of driver blood alcohol levels by the police is changing the lives of country restaurateurs and their customers alike. Les Gendarmes don't need any suspicion of drunk driving to breathalyse motorists here. Everyone is pulled over in a spot check, and there seem to be squads out locally every night.

Although friends confirm the €90+ fine for speeding, none has yet to fail the breathalyser test (although one was reduced to flirting to avoid being nicked). We thus have no confirmation of the advertised penalty of three years' loss of license, one year in jail and a €1000 fine. Taxi drivers are doing good business - perhaps that's why taxis no longer automatically meet the evening train.