Under what circumstances can you arrest under the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA)?

Arrest under the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) can occur in cases of driving while prohibited because this situation involves a clear violation of legal restrictions placed on an individual’s ability to operate a vehicle. When a person is prohibited from driving, it is typically due to previous offenses or legal decisions that have imposed such restrictions. This means the act of driving in violation of these prohibitions can directly endanger public safety and is taken seriously by law enforcement.

This differs from scenarios such as driving without a driver’s license, which may result in a ticket or fine but does not necessarily warrant an arrest if there is no indication of further criminal behavior. Similarly, offensive driving, while it could lead to charges or penalties, does not imply a breach of legal restrictions in the same way as driving while prohibited. Driving with expired registration might also lead to fines and penalties, but does not typically rise to the level of a criminal offense that justifies an arrest. Therefore, the authority to arrest is predominantly associated with the prohibition against driving, underscoring the critical nature of compliance with driving regulations for the safety and order of the roadways.