Can the results of a portable breath testing device be used legally?

The results of a portable breath testing device are primarily intended for preliminary screening or educational purposes. This device is typically used by law enforcement officers in the field to quickly assess whether a driver may be under the influence of alcohol. However, its results alone do not always hold up in court for legal prosecution, as they can be affected by various factors, including the device's calibration, the environmental conditions during testing, and the accuracy of the device itself.

In many jurisdictions, results from portable breath testing devices are used to inform officers’ decisions on whether further testing is warranted, such as a more accurate evidential breath test or blood test. This distinction is important because while they can signal potential impairment, they do not meet the stringent evidentiary standards required for prosecution in a court of law without additional confirmation. Therefore, reliance solely on these preliminary results for legal actions would not be appropriate.

The other options suggest a range of uses that do not align with the legal framework and intended purpose of these devices, reinforcing the idea that their primary role is limited to early assessment rather than definitive legal evidence.