The beginning of the school year is the most dangerous time for pedestrian and cyclists at the University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona Police Department is stepping up enforcement to stop the usual spike in traffic accidents.
Starting at 7 a.m. on Monday morning officers will be out in much higher numbers at the busiest intersections to educate people about traffic laws around the U of A, most importantly the 20 mile an hour speed limit.
UAPD says more accidents happen in the beginning of the school year because there are so many people new to the area.
SLOW DOWN: You'll see more officers near UA this week. They're trying to lower the spike in traffic accidents that happen when school starts
— Alexa Liacko (@AlexaLiacko) September 12, 2016
UA STREETS WITH MOST ACCIDENTS: Cherry & University, 4th & Highland, 2nd & Highland, 2nd & Olive, Highland & Olive, 6th b/t Warren & Tyndall
— Alexa Liacko (@AlexaLiacko) September 12, 2016
UAPD Officers will be at several intersections all week from 7a-10a & 2p-5p enforcing traffic safety for drivers, cyclists & pedestrians.
— Alexa Liacko (@AlexaLiacko) September 12, 2016
.@UofA Police warning students (and issuing citations!) for traffic violations in and around campus. Be careful! pic.twitter.com/1THUB6dlJn
— Alexa Liacko (@AlexaLiacko) September 12, 2016
Police say the extra enforcement this week is not necessarily all about handing out tickets.
"We're really just trying to be visible, let people know we're there. Everyone knows when you're driving down the street and you see a motorcycle officer, you need to slow down, so that's what we're doing. Our enforcement can be just our presence," Sgt. Filbert Barrera of UAPD told KGUN9.
In the last two weeks, UAPD reports show that around 15 percent of their incidents reported are traffic related.
