Whenever any law enforcement officer or properly designated State Department of Revenue agent or employee, upon weighing a vehicle or combination of vehicles, determines that the weight is unlawful, such officer, agent or employee may require the driver to stop the vehicle in a suitable place and remain standing until such portion of the load is removed as may be necessary to reduce the gross weight of such vehicle or combination of vehicles or remove or redistribute the gross weight on any axle or sets of axles to such limits as permitted in this chapter. All material so unloaded shall be cared for by the owner, lessee or operator of such vehicle at the risk of such owner, lessee or operator. (Code 1981 § 43-685. Code 1995 § 142-741.)