New speed limits in Winnipeg school zones take effect this week and police have been out enforcing the new law, which has already proven costly for many drivers caught exceeding the new 30 kilometre per hour limit.

Fines increase for every kilometre a driver is caught exceeding the new limit and they can add up quickly.

“I got a ticket today,” said Paul Esteves, who was travelling 46 kilometres per hour in front of Island Lakes Community School. “No warning at all. Just asked for my license and gave me a ticket. My ticket is $260.”

Not surprisingly, many drivers nabbed on the first day of enforcement hoped police would allow them a grace period to adjust to the new rule but that was not the case in most instances Tuesday.

"It's ridiculous. At least give me a warning. He didn't even have any compassion,” said Pam Delaquis after she was dinged for going 16 kilometres over the posted limit.

She said she agrees with regulating speeds in school zones but thinks the new law goes too far.

"I think 30 km/h is pretty extreme,” she said. “We're all cautious that there (are) kids around. I think it's really not necessary.”

Const. Steve Bowen of the traffic services unit spent his morning in front of Island Lakes Community School and ticketed nearly a dozen motorists.

“It’s there to protect our children. They’re our future and children don’t always make the wisest decisions when they’re out in yards. They run and dart out into streets,” said Bowen.

“At 30 km/h you have a lot of ability to react to an unpredictable situation.”

Some motorists have already complained that some school zone speed limit signs are obscured by branches.

Bowen said when officers notice those type of obstructions, they will report the problem to the city to have them removed.

He said motorists should not count on getting out of a ticket because of a sign obstruction because most school zones include several different signs.

Winnipeg police said 128 tickets were issued and 173 warnings handed out in the lower limit school zones on Sept. 2.