(a) The Uniform Division of the department shall have jurisdiction throughout this state with such duties and powers as are prescribed by law.

(b) It shall be the primary duty of the Uniform Division to patrol the public roads and highways of this state, including interstate and state maintained highways, and to safeguard the lives and property of the public; and such duty shall also include accident investigation and traffic enforcement. The Uniform Division shall prevent, detect, and investigate violations of the criminal laws of this state, any other state, or the United States which are committed upon these public roads and highways or upon property appertaining thereto and shall apprehend and arrest those persons who violate such criminal laws.

(c) Without limiting the generality of any other provisions of this article, it is specifically provided that the Uniform Division shall have jurisdiction to patrol safety rest areas and welcome centers located on or adjacent to the state highway system for the purposes of: (1) enforcing the laws of this state relating to the use, ownership, control, licensing, and registration of motor vehicles; (2) enforcing the criminal laws of this state; and (3) enforcing the laws of this state and the regulations of the Department of Transportation with respect to the use of such safety rest areas and welcome centers. The limitations of paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of Code Section 35-2-33 shall not apply with respect to enforcement in safety rest areas and welcome centers.