Any uniformed police officer, having reason to believe that the weight of the vehicle and load is unlawful, may stop such motor vehicles up to one hour for the purpose of determining the weight of said vehicle and load. If the operator does not wish to submit to the weighing of such vehicle and load by means of portable scales, he or she may demand that such vehicle be weighed at the nearest public scales reasonably available; however, if public scales are not reasonably available, the officer may require the vehicle to be weighed on portable scales. The officer may demand that the vehicle be weighed at the nearest public scales reasonably available. (Amended 1977, No. 177 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. May 1, 1978; 1983, No. 86, § 5.)