South Australian Current Acts

ROAD TRAFFIC ACT 1961 - SECT 40Y

40Y—Direction to provide reasonable assistance for powers of inspection and search

        (1)         An authorised officer may direct a responsible person to provide assistance to the officer to enable the officer effectively to exercise a power under Subdivision 4.

        (2)         Without limiting the above, the assistance may include helping the officer to do any or all of the following:

            (a)         to find and gain access to any records or information, including, but not limited to, electronically stored information;

            (b)         to weigh or measure—

                  (i)         the whole or any part of a vehicle, including an axle or axle group; or

                  (ii)         the whole or any part of its equipment or load;

            (c)         to operate equipment or facilities for a purpose relevant to the power being or proposed to be exercised;

            (d)         to provide access free of charge to photocopying equipment for the purpose of copying any records or other material.

        (3)         This section authorises the giving of a direction to start or stop the engine of a vehicle, but not otherwise to drive the vehicle.

        (4)         A direction—

            (a)         can only be given in relation to a power under Subdivision 4 (the "principal power") while the principal power can lawfully be exercised; and

            (b)         ceases to be operative if the principal power ceases to be exercisable.

        (5)         A person commits an offence if—

            (a)         the person is subject to a direction under subsection (1); and

            (b)         the person engages in conduct that results in a contravention of the direction.

Maximum penalty: $10 000.

        (6)         Subsection (5) does not apply if—

            (a)         the direction is unreasonable; or

            (b)         without limiting the above, the direction or its subject-matter is outside the scope of the business or other activities of the person.

        (7)         If the responsible person to whom a direction to start or stop the engine of a vehicle is given under this section fails to comply with the direction or no responsible person is available or willing to do so, the officer may—

            (a)         enter the vehicle and start or stop its engine; or

            (b)         authorise any other person to do so.