IMPOUNDING ACT 1993 - SECT 18
Impounded motor vehicles worth less than $500 may be destroyed
IMPOUNDING ACT 1993 - SECT 18
Impounded motor vehicles worth less than $500 may be destroyed
18 Impounded motor vehicles worth less than $500 may be destroyed
(1) An impounding officer may cause an impounded motor vehicle to be destroyed
or otherwise disposed of as soon as it is impounded if the impounding officer
believes on reasonable grounds that the value of the vehicle is less than $500
(or such other amount as may be prescribed).
(2) However, a motor vehicle
impounded without inquiries having been made as to its owner (on the grounds
that it was causing an obstruction to traffic or was or was likely to be a
danger to the public) is not to be destroyed or otherwise disposed of under
this section until--
(a) the impounding officer has made all reasonable
inquiries in an effort to find out the name and address of the owner of the
vehicle, and
(b) (if those inquiries reveal the name and address of the
owner) notice of the impounding has been given to the owner and the period
specified in the notice has elapsed without an application for its release
being made.
(3) Notice to the owner must be in writing addressed to the owner
and must indicate that the vehicle has been impounded and may be destroyed if
its value is less than $500 (or such other amount as may be prescribed under
this section), unless its release is applied for within the period specified
in the notice (not less than 3 days).
(4) The destruction or other disposal
of a motor vehicle under this section is to be carried out in accordance with
the directions of the impounding authority concerned.
