§ 9.44.020. Inspections; disposition of unsafe or defectively equipped vehicles.

A.

A police officer or other person properly authorized by the police department who has reasonable cause to believe that a vehicle is unsafe, or not equipped or in proper adjustment or repair as provided in this chapter, may require the driver of the vehicle to stop and submit the vehicle to an inspection and test as may be appropriate.

B.

Whenever the driver of a vehicle is directed by a properly authorized person as stated in subsection A of this section to stop and submit the vehicle to a test of its mechanical condition or equipment, the driver shall stop and then and there submit the vehicle to such test or remove the vehicle as directed to an appropriate facility for such testing.

C.

A police officer may issue a citation to the driver or the owner of a vehicle which is not properly equipped as required in this chapter. The citation shall specify the section of this chapter which has been violated.

D.

A citation issued under subsection C of this section shall require the driver or owner of a specified vehicle to repair the vehicle so as to be in compliance with this chapter, or to permanently park the vehicle in such a way that it will not be operated upon the roadway until repaired.

E.

No person may drive or move a vehicle after being directed under this section to have the vehicle repaired or adjusted until such time as the vehicle is properly repaired or adjusted, except immediately after such direction the vehicle may be returned to the residence or place of business of the driver or owner or to a garage or repair station.

F.

A driver or owner cited under this section may within seven days from the date of the citation is issued appear at an office of the police department with the specified vehicle and present acceptable evidence of having made the necessary repairs or adjustments, or appear without the vehicle and present acceptable evidence of having permanently parked the vehicle. If the driver or owner does appear with the vehicle and shows evidence of having made any repairs or adjustments to the officer who issued the citation or to another authorized official, the following procedure shall apply:

1.

If the vehicle is in proper repair or adjustment and meets the requirements of this chapter, the inspecting official shall void the citation and notify the court of the action taken.

2.

If in the reasonable judgment of the inspecting official the vehicle still is in a condition that further movement or driving could be hazardous to the roadways, others, or the driver, the official may release the vehicle to the driver or owner but require that the vehicle not be driven or moved under its own power or require that the vehicle be driven only to the nearest repair facility or place of safety; or if necessary the official may impound the vehicle until the driver or owner makes arrangements for towing and repair or permanent parking of the vehicle.

(AO No. 85-40; AO No. 89-52)