Section 28.35.070. Examination or impounding before repair.

A person may not make or have made repairs to damage or injury to a motor vehicle that could have been caused by collision with a person or property without first notifying the Department of Public Safety, chief of police, or in the absence of these, the nearest police officer or other peace officer, who shall immediately examine the vehicle and make a full report subscribed by the person in whose custody the vehicle then is.  A copy of the report shall be mailed or delivered to the Department of Public Safety.  If no official is within 10 miles of the place where the vehicle is brought for repair, then no notice or examination is required.  If there is ground for suspecting that the vehicle was involved in a collision with a person, the vehicle shall be impounded at the expense of the owner, for which the custodian shall have a lien, and shall be accessible only to officers detailed to the investigation of the case until released.  If, however, there is no reason to suspect that the damage to the motor vehicle was caused by collision with a person or property, the repair of the vehicle may be authorized by the officer in charge of the investigation at any time after the expiration of 24 hours thereafter.

Notes

History

(Sec. 50-5-5 f ACLA 1949; am Sec. 2 ch 123 SLA 1959)