The Traffic Unit has the major responsibility of automobile crash investigation and enforcement of codes and ordinances as they relate to vehicular traffic. This unit conducts public presentations concerning highway safety and frequently completes traffic safety surveys throughout the City of Salem. The traffic officers issued 294 summonses, answered 1,007 complaints and investigated 416 traffic accidents involving 91 injuries. The traffic officers examined 1,089 operator’s licenses.

In August 1998 the department was the recipient of the Chief’s Challenge Second Place award presented by the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police at their 73^rd Annual Conference in Hampton, Virginia and another second place award in 1999 in Roanoke, Virginia.  The campaign’s three areas of concern were speed offenses, impaired driving, and occupant protection. The department participated in the year-long endeavor by documenting all areas, including officer training, policies, enforcement activities, and public information. All officers in the department assisted in compiling the information and enforcement.