Traffic safety issues are a top community concern in Eugene, and the Eugene Police Department has responded to that concern with a focused, dedicated team of motorcycle officers to enforce traffic laws. The Traffic Enforcement Unit currently comprises nine officers and a sergeant.

While all Eugene Police patrol officers can and do make traffic stops when they are not responding to calls for service, members of the traffic team are able to devote most of their workday to traffic issues and respond to community requests for neighborhood enforcement. The major goal of traffic enforcement is to change driver behavior to decrease dangerous collisions and improve neighborhood safety and quality of life.

Eugene Police motor officers’ primary duty is enforcing traffic laws within the city of Eugene, including focused enforcement in response to neighborhood speeding complaints. In addition to radar speed patrol and other standard traffic enforcement duties, this unit also engages in focused patrols and public education campaigns such as saturation patrols for red light runners, seatbelt safety blitzes, and crosswalk pedestrian safety operations. They also provide traffic control at civic functions, sporting events, parades and for visiting dignitaries, and provide other traffic-related community services. Additionally, motorcycle officers can respond to patrol calls for service as needed; their mobility allows them to respond quickly to high-priority calls and as backup to other officers.