France's Wine Industry Encourages Drinking and Driving November 17, 2003
News Summary
In an effort to counter a government campaign against drinking and driving, French winemakers are unveiling their own campaign saying that it's okay to have a drink or two before driving, the Associated Press reported Nov. 15."People are so afraid of the police these days that they're not drinking any wine at all," said Pascal Bobillier-Monnot, director of France's national wine producers' association.
The wine industry said that since the government's current DUI campaign began, wine sales at restaurants have dropped 15 percent. They said the government is overreacting by telling drivers that it's best not to drink at all.
"We believe the government has a duty of providing information which it has failed," said Pascal Rousseaux, director of Afivin, an umbrella group for wine producers, distributors, and retailers. He said drivers should be made aware that they can drink "two or three glasses" of wine with their meal and still be capable of driving.
France's blood-alcohol limit is .05. "In case of doubt, the easiest way to be sure you don't break the limit is to refrain from drinking," said Transport Ministry spokeswoman Emmanuelle Dormond.
As part of French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin's efforts to improve road safety, police have increased road checks and the government has implemented stricter punishments for drunk driving.
"There's no question about it. The enforcement effort and the government's rhetoric have led to a drop in wine consumption in France," Bobillier-Monnot said.
Starting next year, Afivin plans to launch a $350,000 initiative that would include distributing breathalyzer tests to restaurants throughout the country. The purpose of the campaign is to convince motorists that they don't have to stop drinking altogether.
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