A dozen Ottawa streets are seeing speed limit signs moved from the side to the middle of the road in an effort to improve safety.

A $10,000 pilot project is bringing flexible yellow signs standing about a metre and a half tall to the middle of 12 residential streets with reduced speed zones.

One of the areas participating is Grenon Avenue in west Ottawa, where the limit is 40 kilometres an hour because it’s a school zone.

Christoper Assad said he’s seen cars rocket down the road for three decades and he’s seeing a difference.

"I've seen cars going here, 100 kilometers in a 30 or 40 zone. It's crazy," he said.

Signs removed in winter

"I was surprised," said driver Bosil Jkajevtic, who said they were effective in slowing her down.

"It’s not a bad idea."

The City of Ottawa has been examining cheap ways to keep drivers from speeding, especially in areas where schools and parks are particularly close to the street.

The signs will be taken down in the winter for snow removal.

The city said that’s when they’ll re-evaluate the pilot project to see if it should be brought back.