One city councillor is taking the effort to get drivers to slow down in residential areas into his own hands.
Alta Vista councillor Peter Hume led a speed blitz Wednesday on three streets identified as problems because of the number of speeding complaints made to City Hall.
Residents on Featherston Drive said they don’t feel safe with the number of cars whipping through their neighbourhood, especially at rush hour.
“My husband crosses the street very often here,” said Helyna Kis.
Hume said he clocked many vehicles going ten to 20 kilometres over the limit over a few hours spent with a radar gun and digital speed sign.
“Just this summer right around that corner, a lady ran off the road and right into the front of someone's house,” he said. “So we know there are speeding issues.”
Ontario’s chief coroner said speeding kills 100 pedestrians in the province every year, calling for speed limits on residential streets to drop from 50 to 30 kilometres an hour.
“We all know that slower speed saves lives so it's worth exploring,” Hume said. “We've had a couple of people who have blown by the volunteers, luckily we have a police officer with us.”
“People use this as a cut-through and some people don't remember this is a residential street,” said Kirsty Morrison.
“I especially think it's important because I have an eight-month-old and she's going to be playing in the front yard soon.”
Drivers who stayed within the speed limit said they have their reasons and are all for blitzes like Hume’s.
“I really appreciate it because I have kids who walk and bike in the neighbourhood,” said Hilary Hampson.
Gatineau recently lowered its speed limit to 40 kilometres an hour in residential areas.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s John Hua
