The goals and objectives of the Spokane Police Traffic Unit are to reduce the number and severity of traffic collisions in the city of Spokane. This will be done by working with a three-prong approach to the problem. These three are inter-related. The first is education, second is engineering, and the third is enforcement

The current SPD Traffic Unit supports 6 motorcycle officers, 1 commercial vehicle officer and 1 Photo Red Enforcement Officer.

Please watch the SPD Traffic Unit Video to learn more and see your Traffic Unit in action!  You will need Windows Media Player to view. 

Safe Traffic Operation Program (STOP)                                                                                                              

STOP is a voluntary class offered by the Spokane Police Department. It is designed to improve driver awareness and understanding of traffic laws, and to promote safe driving skills. 

More information

Not using a child car seat or having it improperly installed can cost you.  To be exact, it costs $124.00 per ticket !

The Washinton State Seat Belt Law Requires:

• ALL vehicle occupants to be properly restrained in ALL seating positions.
• The driver is responsible for seeing that all children under that age of 16 are properly secured.
• Passengers 16 years of age and older are responsible for themselves and may receive their own ticket if they are not properly restrained.

The Washinton State Child Restraint Law Requires:

• Children under age 13 years old be transported in the back seat "when it is practical to do so".
• Children up to their 8th birthday, unless they are 4’9” tall (57 inches), must be transported in a child restraint system.
• The restraint system (infant seat, child safety seat, or booster) must be used according to the car seat AND vehicle manufacturer’s  instructions.
• Vehicles equipped with lap-only seat belts are exempt from the requirements of the booster seat.
• Children 8 years of age or at least 4’9” who wear a seat belt MUST be using it correctly.

Try this 5-Step Test to learn when the adult seat belt properly fits your child:

1. Does the child sit all the way back against the vehicle seat?
2. Do the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat without slouching?
3. Does the lap belt stay on the top part of the child’s thighs?
4. Is the shoulder belt centered on the chest and shoulder?
5. Can the child stay seated this way for the whole trip?

If you say no to ANY of these questions, or if your child puts the shoulder part of the seat belt under their arm or behind their back, your child still needs a booster seat.

For more information about local programs or car seat check events, contact the Spokane Child Passenger Safety Team Hotline at (509) 232-2985.

The following locations offer free car seat check-ups.  To schedule an appointment, call the location nearest you.

In Spokane County: 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - www.nhtsa.org
American Academy of Pediatrics - www.aap.org
Washington State Safety Restraint Coalition - www.800bucklup.org Safekids Worldwide - www.safekids.org