Victoria police are stepping up their traffic enforcement in Victoria and Esquimalt for back-to-school.

The department is sending out a full contingent of its traffic division – 10 officers on motorcycles – to patrol school zones and make sure drivers are alert and following the rules.

Traffic officers will be enforcing school zone speed limits of 30 km/h. The minimum fine for speeding in a school zone is $196, and that amount increases to $253 if a driver exceeds the limit by more than 21 km/h.

For drivers really blowing the speed limit, police can impound vehicles for seven days.

They’ll also be on the lookout for distracted drivers, including those talking on cellphones or using other handheld devices, which carries a fine of $167.

Victoria students return to class today.