Don't know what happened here but this is what I wanted to say - I understand France will be requiring all drivers to carry a breathalyser in the vehicle - anyone know how to get hold of cheap disposable ones?

Ferry companies will sell them on board - but you can get cheap ones in French pharmacies

[but you'd have to drive there to get one, and S*d's Law says you'd get stopped on the way]

I assume that they'll soon be available on the web

If you're in the UK, Halfords sell them but they aren't that cheap

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?srch=alcosense&action=search&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&langId=-1

Apparently the fine is only €17 for not carrying one, and as this Law is aimed at reducing accident levels of French drivers, I would risk it when travelling through France. However I would not risk the €80 fine in Italy for not having Snow Chains in the car, as I know they are now using this legislation to bolster the local coffers, and why every gas station now sells chains along with Supermarkets and the price has dropped to €56 a set.

Gotcha the first time Flip. 

Here's a bit of typical Italian legislation for you;

In the province of Ascoli Piceno you only need to carry snow chains or have thermal tyres fitted if you're driving over 300 metres above sea level, or on the autostrada / superstrada.

In the neighbouring province of Fermo you need them wherever you are including autostrada / superstrada.

A friend of a mate in the Fermo area was fined for not carrying snow chains / having thermal tyres fitted whilt driving along the Lungomare of Porto San Georgio.

Knowing your provincial boundries can be useful....

It is all rather ironic when we remember that we have just celebrated the 150th anniversary of Italy's unification...

Maybe unified on paper, but they will never be unified in deed. The old North v South divide will always be there and on a local level our village is always suspicious of any body who comes from a certain nearby village because they are all ' Ladri e Bugiardi '......

So, do you have to carry snow chains all year round or what..? This is completely new to me and I guess I'll have to go out and buy a set as I'm going over in 3 weeks time and don't want to be fined. Is there any other sneaky little rule I should know about..? I have a warning triangle and a basic first aid kit in the car already. One other thing, do hire cars have to carry snow chains too because I've never noticed a set in any of the hire cars I've ever had in Italy - and I've had many.

no you do not need to carry them all year round, the exact dates when it is obligatory to do so varies from region to region here is a link, from a previous post (thanks Penny) which tells you what is required, where and when -

http://poliziadistato.it/articolo/21073/

the law says you do on certain roads up until mid March, but to be honest I haven't been stopped all Winter, and if there is no snow where you are going I wouldn't bother. Make sure you have a couple of reflective vests in the car though as law in France and Italy to use if broken down. Check other posts on Chains for more details.

Thanks Flip and Andiamo. I'll be going over the fern pass and also the Brenner pass but not leaving till 20th march so if what you say is true I guess I just wont bother.

Flip, quite a few people have been stopped here in Marche and the carabinieri have checked whether they have chains on board or snow tyres so I wouldn't be so sure. I wouldn't like to see what would happen if you were involved in an accident and didn't have them - I'm sure the insurance company would wriggle out of it and land the blame firmly at your door. I know in some Scandinavian countries, if you are not using snow tyres then any accident is automatically your fault even if you did nothing wrong.

Hi Penny, what are the roads like there just now..? any snow on the A14..? I'm coming down in 3 weeks time and starting to flap about this whole snow tyres/snow chains carry on.

Penny I do have them and have had for a couple of years, and always carry them in the Car. Just trying to illustrate that if there is not much snow in your area (we are in Tuscany and have only had one snow fall to mention) then you will be really unfortunate to get stopped/fined by the powers that be..... I know the Marche has had a lot more snow thatn us so prudent to be sensible.

Here in the (my) Macerata area the snow has now all but gone and only where it has been piled up by the comune does it still exist,

S

Same here in Amandola.

We have been stopped in Southern Marche, Montegiorgio area just b/f the snow,  carrying chains, and vests so no problem, but commented on our tyres, but let off.We now have 4 new tyres, it seems the fine is 100e each...so the Carabinieri were in a good mood that day. Very much in evidence on our roads here .....so be warned.