5APowers in relation to vehicles

### 5A Powers in relation to vehicles > [*\[Section 5A Inserted by No. 38 of 2017, s. 9, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS9@EN) > > > (1)  If a police officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that a person is driving, is attempting to drive, has driven or has attempted to drive a vehicle in contravention of this Act, the police officer may require the person to immediately hand over all keys to any vehicle that are in the possession of the person at the time – > > > > > > (a) to the police officer or another police officer; or > > > > > > > (b) to another person, if the police officer is satisfied that the other person – > > > > > > > > > > (i) is authorised to drive the vehicle on a public street; and > > > > > > > > > > > (ii) at the time of receiving the keys, is able to lawfully drive the vehicle on a public street. > > > (2)  A police officer may make a requirement under [subsection (1)](#GS5A@Gs1@EN) in respect of a person if satisfied that the requirement is in the interests of public safety and may do so whether or not the person has been, or is to be, charged with an offence under this Act or any other Act. > > > (3)  If a person hands over keys to a vehicle to a police officer under [subsection (1)](#GS5A@Gs1@EN) (a), the police officer may take any steps that he or she considers appropriate and practicable, in order to ensure that the vehicle is not causing an obstruction and is secure, including – > > > > > > (a) moving the vehicle to a more suitable or secure place; and > > > > > > > (b) authorising another person to move the vehicle, including towing the vehicle, to a more suitable or secure place. > > > (4)  A police officer may retain keys to a vehicle handed over to the police officer under [subsection (1)](#GS5A@Gs1@EN) (a) for as long as is reasonable in the circumstances. > > > (5)  A person who fails to comply with a requirement made of the person under [subsection (1)](#GS5A@Gs1@EN) is guilty of an offence.