Police will be on high alert patrolling stretches of road outside Pahoia and Pyes Pa Primary Schools to enforce new speed restrictions as children head back to school next month.

Lower speed limits will be in place on State Highway 2 outside Pahoia School and on State Highway 26 outside Pyes Pa School.

Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion says police will be keeping an eye on speeding drivers around schools next week.

'The speed is reduced during the peak flows of drop off and pick up times. At Pahoia it reduces from the 100km/h open road speed limit to 70km/h. At Pyes Pa School it reduces from 80km/h to 40km/h,” says Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager, Senior Sergeant Ian Campion.

These two areas will be of particular focus for police during the Back to School campaign on the week of February 3.

Drivers caught driving at 5km/h or more above the posted speed limit within 250 metres on either side of any school boundary can expect to receive a speeding infringement notice which will include demerit points.

'All drivers are reminded to keep a very good look out around schools for children but also for the school zone speed limits,” says Ian.

He says drivers not only need to take special care around school zones, but they need to keep a vigil around pedestrian crossings as well.

'The key risk times are between 7.30am -9am and 2.30pm -4pm on week days and the most vulnerable age group is between five and nine years.”