Which statement describes the purpose of roadside testing?

• A. Roadside breath testing indicates if the proportion of alcohol in breath exceeds the prescribed limit.
• B. Sweat tests are used first to determine alcohol level
• C. Tests require consent from the driver
• D. Tests can be performed only after a conviction

Answer: (C)

Roadside testing is about quickly assessing whether a driver has alcohol in their system to decide if further action is needed. The main aim is to determine whether the breath alcohol level exceeds the legal limit, which allows the police to decide whether to arrest for drink-driving and/or arrange evidential testing later.

Importantly, you’re not relying on voluntary consent for this step. If a police officer has reasonable cause to suspect drink-driving, they can require a breath sample, and refusing to provide a sample can itself be an offence. So the test isn’t about obtaining consent; it’s about enforcing the offence and guiding subsequent action.

Sweat tests aren’t used first to determine alcohol level, and roadside testing isn’t something that only happens after a conviction.