What does the PBT law allow a police officer to do?

The PBT law, or Preliminary Breath Test law, specifically allows a police officer to request a breath test from a driver roadside under certain circumstances. This law is designed to help officers assess whether a driver may be operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The preliminary breath test provides immediate, on-site results that can assist law enforcement in making decisions about whether further action, such as a more formal breath test at the station or an arrest, is warranted.

The other options, while related to law enforcement procedures, do not accurately reflect the specific permissions granted under PBT laws. Conducting field sobriety tests may be part of a roadside evaluation, but it is not specifically what the PBT law addresses. Searching a vehicle without consent typically requires probable cause or exigent circumstances, rather than the authority provided by PBT laws. Arresting an individual without evidence would raise significant legal and constitutional issues, as law enforcement generally needs reasonable suspicion or probable cause to lawfully arrest someone. Therefore, the PBT law’s focus and allowance is specifically centered on the ability to conduct a roadside breath test.