(French)Wine Industry Urges Drinking and Driving

[underpants]

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20031115_132.html

Wine Industry in France Fighting Back Against Government Campaign to Discourage Drunk Driving

PARIS Nov. 15 — France's wine industry wants drivers to know: It's OK to have a drink for the road. Or three. The $18 billion-a-year wine industry is fighting back against a government campaign to discourage drunk driving. It claims the government is scaring people away from ordering a glass when they go out and points to a 15 percent drop in wine sales at restaurants.

Wine makers have always promoted moderate drinking to comply with the country's blood-alcohol limit of .05. But they say the government is overreacting when it tells drivers that the safest way to stay out of trouble is 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.

Diners should know they can enjoy "two or three glasses" with their meal and still be fit to drive, Rousseaux said.

Transport ministry spokeswoman Emmanuelle Dormond defended the government's stance.
"In case of doubt the easiest way to be sure you don't break the limit is to refrain from drinking," she said.

[Kellanved]

1. that's true

Amazes me every time in France: it's still normal to have wine for lunch. I've even seen Gendarmes(in Uniform) drinking an Aperitive (Kir) and a Wine during lunch. (The wine was free with the meal).
Rest stop offer wine as well.

[supernova]

8. Germans have beer for lunch

what's the difference?

God, I miss Europe!! :loveya:

[Kellanved]

10. not any more

Seriously: you hardly see people drinking beer for lunch any more. Maybe in rural areas, but even there it isn't as common as it used to be.

[supernova]

11. Darn!

:-(

[Kamika]

2. They sound like our tobacco companies

uhmm topic

[1monster]

3. Two glasses of wine and I can barely move... Three and I'd have a hard

time making my foot hit the correct pedal.

One glass, maybe, with a meal, and two hours after drinking it before getting behind the wheel of a car.

[underpants]

4. Well it is best not to drink at all if you are going to drive

NOt due to getting a DUI but it just isn't smart in any way.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

5. The French are used of drinking wine

you can often see people have a glass or two at lunch and head back to the office. It is part of their culture and alcoholism rates are fairly low. I think their tolerance for wine may be higher than ours, not that it excuses drunk driving...

[BonjourUSA]

6. The life is becoming sad in France !!!!

No drinking, no smoking, driving slower... Because that's dangerous.

The life is dangerous, and soon I am going to stay in my bed, the French gov will be happy because I'll be in total safety...

I think our "douceur de vivre" is in danger !!!!

[Feanorcurufinwe]

7. Life is for enjoying not for 'getting by'

and the French have traditionally been masters of the 'art of life' -- can silly laws really change traditions that have come down from the dawn of time...

[supernova]

9. The French designated driver?

Is this a possibility?

I think this is a great solution. Nobody has to give up their wine.

edit: I think when towns were small and you walked or rode a horse to get around, alcohol consumption didn't matter. But since we drive more now it affects other people.

[Robb]

13. Indeed

In our small town, it's just a four block walk home from our favorite restaurant. If we don't order a bottle for the two of us, people ask if we're feeling OK... :)

[Ernesto]

12. The French obviously do not want to become us

Can you blame them?... In no other country is such a fuss made about drinking & driving. Here in the good ol' USA where we routinly exocute people, good 'Mericans would never admit to drinking & driving. It is, almost, a litmus test defining the value of your true character........ Good Mericans don't drink & drive. (implication: only bad ones do)