Traffic Unit
The primary goal of the Traffic Unit is to maximize the safety of motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians who use our city streets. We do this through our efforts to obtain voluntary compliance with traffic laws. Traffic officers in marked vehicles direct their enforcement efforts to target the violations which cause the majority of traffic collisions in the City of Chico. We also support strict enforcement of occupant restraint laws, which have been proven to reduce the number of injuries suffered in traffic collisions.
The City Traffic Engineer has surveyed the majority of streets in the City which are classified arterial or collective roadways to determine safe speed limits. Speed limits on these streets are enforced by the use of radar on a regular basis in order to reduce the number of accidents, but also the amount of damage from traffic accidents when they do happen.
All the police officers assigned to the Traffic Unit receive advanced training in collision investigation, skid mark analysis, and accident reconstruction. Traffic officers seek to provide a high level of service in fully documenting all serious injury and fatal traffic collisions in our jurisdiction. We also assist parties involved in property damage collisions in meeting the requirements of the law.
The Traffic Unit gives a high priority, along with other marked patrol units, to preventing driving under the influence violations and arresting drivers who fail to comply with the law. Statistically the department has been successful in keeping accidents caused by DUI lower than any other jurisdiction in Butte County. Public support for tougher penalties, driver's license suspensions, and following designated driver" plans has helped. We conduct announced DUI checkpoints to serve as a deterrent to driving under the influence and to solicit support from motorists in reporting suspected DUI drivers.
In addition to our other duties, members of the Traffic Unit give safety presentations to groups, tow abandoned vehicles from City streets, and enforce parking regulations. These regulations are designed to increase safety while maximizing access to businesses.
The traffic unit is currently comprised of four motor officers and two officers in marked patrol units. The traffic unit also has two CSO’s assigned for downtown parking enforcement.