Drivers in Durham Region are reminded to slow down and pay attention to the roads as students return to school next week.

To help with the transition, Durham Regional Police will be conducting a one-week traffic safety blitz around neighbourhood schools.

After an extended absence from the daily routine of school, officers want to ensure the return to school is free of injury to young community members.

The DRPS Traffic Services Branch, in conjunction with divisional traffic safety coordinators and general patrol officers from across the region will participate in this enhanced enforcement initiative with zero tolerance targeting school and community zones during the week of Sept. 5 to 8.

Last year’s campaign resulted in more than 1,500 tickets being issued for various driving offences in and around schools. This included 955 tickets for speeding and 70 charges of distracted driving.

The goal of the annual enforcement campaign is to ensure high officer visibility and proactive enforcement in and around school zones during the first week back to school.