(a) There is created the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety. The department shall be the agency primarily responsible for:

(1) Administration of the laws and regulations relating to registration and titling of motor vehicles, as provided for in Chapters 2 and 3 of Title 40;

(2) Administration of the laws and regulations relating to drivers' licenses, as provided for in Chapter 5 of Title 40;

(3) Administration of the laws and regulations relating to proof of financial responsibility, as provided for in Chapter 9 of Title 40;

(4) Enforcement of laws and regulations relating to the size and the weights of motor vehicles, trailers, and loads as provided for in Article 2 of Chapter 6 of Title 32;

(5) Enforcement of laws and regulations relating to licensing and fuel tax registration requirements and the reporting of violations of said requirements to the state revenue commissioner;

(6) Administration and enforcement anywhere in the state of laws and regulations relating to motor carriers, limousine carriers, and hazardous material carriers as provided for in Chapters 7 and 11 of Title 46;

(7) Enforcement of all state laws but only on the following properties owned or controlled by the Department of Transportation or the State Road and Tollway Authority: rest areas, truck-weighing stations or checkpoints, wayside parks, parking facilities, toll facilities, and any buildings and grounds for public equipment and personnel used for or engaged in administration, construction, or maintenance of the public roads or research pertaining thereto;

(8) Enforcement of Code Section 16-10-24, relating to obstructing or hindering law enforcement officers, but only in those situations involving the obstruction or hindrance of enforcement officers designated by the department in their official duties;

(9) Directing and controlling traffic on any public road which is part of the state highway system but only in areas where maintenance and construction activities are being performed and at scenes of accidents and emergencies until local police officers or Georgia State Patrol officers arrive and have the situation under control;

(10) Enforcement of Code Sections 32-9-4 and 40-6-54, relating to designation of restricted travel lanes;

(11) Enforcement of Code Section 16-11-43, relating to obstructing highways, streets, sidewalks, or other public passages, on any public road which is part of the state highway system;

(12) Enforcement of Code Section 16-7-43, relating to littering public or private property or waters, on any public road which is part of the state highway system; (13) Enforcement of Code Section 16-7-24, relating to interference with government property, on any public road which is part of the state highway system; and

(14) Enforcement of any state law when ordered to do so by the Governor.

(b) In performance of the duties specified in subsection (a) of this Code section, certified law enforcement officers employed by the department shall:

(1) Be authorized to carry firearms;

(2) Exercise arrest powers;

(3) Have the power to stop, enter upon, and inspect all motor vehicles using the public highways for purposes of determining whether such vehicles have complied with and are complying with this chapter and other laws the administration or enforcement of which is the responsibility of the department;

(4) Have the power to examine the facilities where motor vehicles are housed or maintained and the books and records of motor carriers for purposes of determining compliance with this chapter and other laws the administration or enforcement of which is the responsibility of the department; and

(5) Exercise the powers generally authorized for law enforcement officers in the performance of the duties specified by this chapter or otherwise to the extent needed to protect any life or property when the circumstances demand action.

(c) In the performance of its duties, the department shall be required to comply with all applicable federal laws and rules and regulations and shall certify that the state is in compliance with all provisions and requirements of all applicable federal-aid acts and programs.

(d) The commissioner shall authorize enforcement officers of the department to make use of dogs trained for the purpose of detection of drugs and controlled substances while such officers are engaged in the performance of their authorized duties. If such authorized use of such a dog indicates probable cause to indicate the presence of contraband, the officer or officers shall in those circumstances have the full authority of peace officers to enforce the provisions of Article 2 of Chapter 13 of Title 16, the "Georgia Controlled Substances Act," and Article 3 of Chapter 13 of Title 16, the "Dangerous Drug Act"; provided, however, that the department must immediately notify the local law enforcement agency and district attorney of the jurisdiction where a seizure is made.