Dear Editor,
I refer to the letter of Carl Veecock, captioned “Should the police seize vehicles in these cases?” (08.01.08) and state that similar questions have troubled my mind.
The Police Act as well as the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act give the police the authority to stop motor vehicles, the discretion to search those motor vehicles, and if narcotics, firearms and/or ammunition are found the power to seize those vehicles. The legislative provisions do not provide for the seizure of motor vehicles for a simple ‘ticket case’ such as speeding, running a traffic light, loud music etc. The seizure of vehicles by the police under these circumstances often causes undue delays, and, in some cases, financial setbacks, to the motorists.
If there are any amendments to these legislative provisions which allow a member of the police force to seize a person’s vehicle for speeding, running a traffic light or playing loud music, I call on the Traffic Chief to please inform the driving public.
Yours faithfully,
(name and address supplied)
