A central Ottawa city councillor is leading the push to have speed limits lowered in residential areas.

Residents near the Ottawa Hospital's Civic campus are campaigning to get the limit lowered to 40 kilometres an hour from 50.

"I think it's a great idea, it seems as if the traffic has really increased," said Shelly Hosse.

"There are so many children that play in here, if they don't reduce it something's going to happen," said Linda Whitfield.

Some drivers said they're also on board with the change.

"There was a boy hit around the corner here, he had a concussion," said Chris Morrissy. "This neighbourhood is getting busier all the time."

The area's councillor said she wants to take this idea a step further, bringing the speed limit down ten kilometers an hour in all residential areas.

"Studies show if you get hit at 30 kilometres an hour you have a chance to survive," said Katherine Hobbes. "At 50 kilometres an hour, it's not great."

Ottawa's speed limits are governed by provincial law, with the possibility to change the limit on a street-by-street basis at a $5 million cost for signage.

Councillor Shad Qadri said he's done so in one Stittsville neighbourhood with mixed reviews.

"There are some people concerned about restricting speed but my number one goal is to protect the people," he said.

Qadri said he went so far as to get a radar gun to monitor the streets in his ward, bringing in the police and traffic department if he gets complaints.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Joanne Schnurr