A total of 40 people were caught speeding outside Tauranga schools during a major police operation in the first week of the school term.

The top speedsters were caught doing 16km/h over the 40km/h speed limit, travelling almost 60km/h outside the school zone.

Sergeant Wayne Hunter says police are keeping an eye on drivers and their speed.

There were 23 drivers caught doing 5-10km/h over the speed limit, 15 caught driving 11-15km/h over the speed limit, and two doing 16km/h or more over the posted speed limit.

Sergeant Wayne Hunter says the number of tickets issued was down on the same time last year when about 130 tickets were issued during the Western Bay of Plenty road policing team's operation at the start of Term 4.

'During the week, most schools in the Western Bay of Plenty had been subject to speed enforcement by either Road Policing or Public Safety Teams.

'The comments my staff received from both parents and school staff was very positive with the overwhelming view that lower speeds around the schools made it much safer for the children.”

Wayne says from yesterday the new variable speed signs are operational at Pyes Pa and Pahoia Schools.

'Police will be targeting these areas this week to educate motorists.”

Wayne believes drivers seem to have taken the message on board about reducing their speeds in the vicinities of schools.

'Drivers tend to be more compliant towards the end of the year, as they know police are out and about.”

Western Bay of Plenty road policing manager Senior Sergeant Ian Campion says all drivers are reminded to keep a very good look out around schools for children, but also for the School Zone Speed Limits.

'Drivers not only need to take special care around school zones but on pedestrian crossings in the vicinity of schools and comply with school patrol crossing signs.” He says drivers also need to slow down to 20km/h when passing stationary school buses when students are getting on and off.

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