The traffic unit's primary function is to enforce motor vehicle law in the city of Wilmington. The officers patrol in unmarked vehicles that are equipped with radar units, laptop computers, portable breath testing (PBT) instruments, tint meters, and other unit specific equipment. Officers also conduct presentations to educate the public about the dangers of violating the law. Additionally, the traffic unit is responsible for the investigation of all fatal crashes, police vehicle related crashes, and pursuit related crashes. Within the unit are several crash reconstructionists that are equipped with crash reconstruction software and tools used at the scene of at the scene of a crash.

Specialized positions within the Traffic Unit
Civilian Crash Investigators - The two civilian crash investigators have the responsibility to investigate vehicle accidents that resulted in propert damage. They investigated over 100 crashes in the city in 2008, freeing up countless man-hours for the sworn officers to handle other types of calls for service.

DWI Enforcement Team- includes four officers whose primary function is to detect and arrest impaired drivers. Two of the current positions are funded by the North Carolina Governors Highway Safety Program. All of the members of the team drive unmarked Ford Mustang GTs or Chevrolet Camaros. Two of the officers in the unit have received awards locally and at the state level for the number of impaired drivers they arrested in 2008 and 2009.