The origins of the BSA Police Traffic Branch are a little vague aside from the fact that it was first establish at Bulawayo in 1944 and comprised a police reservist and six constables. The expansion of post Second World War vehicle traffic, in the larger towns saw the need for the introduction of legislation to control vehicle traffic, which in 1948 was made up of 40,600 vehicles (5,700 in 1945) of which 23,200 were private cars. Like other sections within the force, the Traffic Branch evolved with enforcing legislation, such as the Roads and Road Traffic Act. Special sections within the branch dealt with highway traffic, and there were sections involved in accident investigation.

• Investigations Section
• Highway Patrol
• Station Level Traffic Sections (larger stations only)
• Car Theft Section
• Police Driving School (was also in the domain of the Training Branch at some time)