Christchurch man ticketed for “lifting jack not carried” without the officer even looking

A Christchurch man has disputed a ticket he received for “lifting jack not carried”.

The man and his friend claim they were pulled over by a Christchurch Police officer who couldn’t find anything wrong with the vehicle they were in. The driver was fully licensed, the vehicle had a current warrant and registration on display and the driver was not under the influence or impaired.

The men claim the officer seemed annoyed when he couldn’t find any issue with them or the vehicle.

They claim the officer asked the driver to pop the boot. The driver had concerns about the officers motives so he refused. The men claim the officer had not invoked the search and surveillance act and the men were not under arrest so they didn’t believe there was any reason to allow the officer to search the vehicle.

The officer then said he was ticketing the driver for not having a jack, the driver said “I do have a jack” and the officer said “you didn’t show me, i’m ticketing you” and left before the driver could do anything else.

Days later the man received a ticket in the post.

The driver (who is the owner of the vehicle) says there is a jack in the boot but the officer never said they had to show him or would be ticketed.

NZPCA can confirm it is an offence but is seeking clarification around whether or not we (you) are legally obliged to open your boot and show an officer your lifting jack or not.

Full list of driving offences seen here

We will post an update as to what happens with the ticket.

In the mean time, make sure you have a jack in your vehicle …. who knew it was an offence not to have one? I know I didnt!