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Delaware Sets the Standard on 'Roadside Memorials'

GasBuddy Blog -- As long as there are cars moving on interstate highways or lesser roads and byways, there will be crashes and fatalities. As a society we can only make a concerted effort to improve automobile safety for all and reduce the loss of human life.

Each year thousands of crashes inspire well-meaning family and friends of victims to erect their own "roadside memorial" wherever they choose, and often it's put up at the very location where the crash occurred, or as close to it as possible.

Ironically, the roadside memorials constructed to mourn victims have the potential to add distractions and impede sight lines for motorists, creating safety problems that increase the risks for more crashes. More often than not such displays...

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Submitted Apr 26, 2012 By: PD

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StillWillIV Sophomore Author South Bend Posts:185 Points:361,995 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 10:11:18 AM Ignore StillWillIV Report Abuse Nice
05HD All-Star Author Cincinnati Posts:869 Points:133,170 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:38:38 AM Ignore 05HD Report Abuse GOOD IDEA FOR ALL STATES.
05HD All-Star Author Cincinnati Posts:869 Points:133,170 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:37:28 AM Ignore 05HD Report Abuse GOOD IDEA FOR ALL STATES.
123cowboy Champion Author Maine Posts:1,833 Points:403,570 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 6:14:28 AM Ignore 123cowboy Report Abuse not really a safety issue...
ManOfLeisureII Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:1,869 Points:453,175 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: May 7, 2012 3:11:55 PM Ignore ManOfLeisureII Report Abuse Road side memorials should be banned everywhere.
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,442 Points:1,323,805 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: May 5, 2012 7:48:12 AM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse How far south can you go from Gila Bend.
tpguess Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,591 Points:369,885 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 9:47:46 AM Ignore tpguess Report Abuse You should drive across the Reservation South of Gila Bend Arizona... I have never seen so many roadside memorials in my life...
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,599 Points:1,607,570 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 2:48:25 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse I think a cross or a round marker is fine, but not all the other stuff, such as lights, teddy bears, flowers, etc.
Jkent1953 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:1,981 Points:438,985 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 2, 2012 8:36:19 PM Ignore Jkent1953 Report Abuse Sorry for their losses, but keep the memorials in the cemeteries.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,599 Points:1,607,570 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 2, 2012 3:36:28 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse okie: that white bike around here is a bicycle, which is okay usually b/c it doesn't take much away. But what you have sounds like a big and poorly thought out thing.
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,442 Points:1,323,805 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 9:06:36 AM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse Heck. Road crews, highway department officials, politicians have all already been absolutely attacked and reamed out after trying to remove these object that turn our roadways into endless memorials. I read this article 2 days ago on GB and yesterday there was a picture of a new memorial to an adult bike rider who was killed over a year ago. The flowers and cross are down now. Instead they have taken a large bike, painted it white (tires and all) and mounted it on a steel riser big enough to take the engine out of a semi rig. To make it worse, the paper's writer was very complimentary of this distracting hazard. Deleware is, to my knowledge, the only state to intelligently deal with this dangerous problem.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,599 Points:1,607,570 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 2:49:35 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse mel: road cleaning crews only come by every so rarely in rural areas. There is one memorial that someone made on a road I travel (rural) and it has been a problem many times b/c there are often many cars / trucks parked not on the side, but halfway in the road. And it's a hard to see spot. Road crews have not (re-)moved it in over 18 months.
melvindale Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,438 Points:351,230 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 3:27:11 PM Ignore melvindale Report Abuse I live in Michigan, where we have fairly wet weather. These things are usually teddy bears and stuffed animals that quickly degrade into musty moldy lumps that are very unattractive. However, since they are on public land that they survive for more than a day displays the severe lack of diligence among police and other authorities whose duty is enforcement. Tangentially, the police seem to think that it is NOT their job to write tickets. Delaware has a good idea, but I doubt it will stop the people who do this. Only enforcement of some sort will. Easiest would be to have the road cleaning crews remove them. That would eventually make people follow the law.
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,118 Points:291,825 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 10:11:02 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse ok
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,599 Points:1,607,570 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 2:51:09 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse skybiker, I have, esp. when they are in rural areas and involve lots of lights (small two lane country roads w/ no lights far and wide). Also, some people are there parking into the road area when they work on the memorials. That being said, I still say, keep markers.
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:554,730 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2012 9:38:30 PM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse Keep the "Roadside Memorals"
cashpayer Sophomore Author Raleigh Posts:147 Points:81,395 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:58:42 PM Ignore cashpayer Report Abuse Not every article needs to be about gas prices.
skybiker Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,287 Points:1,558,440 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:24:36 PM Ignore skybiker Report Abuse Please! I've never seen a memorial that was a distraction or blocked sight...
my2002m Champion Author Tulsa Posts:6,064 Points:1,668,350 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 7:49:09 PM Ignore my2002m Report Abuse And this impacts gas prices how?
nannieb43 Rookie Author Georgia Posts:24 Points:94,735 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 6:34:02 PM Ignore nannieb43 Report Abuse I agree with oknee09 & txrojo2005 they sure make me stop and think. The ones that get me are like huge painted rocks & crosses w/items hanging from the arms. Way over the top!
gknee09 All-Star Author Philadelphia Posts:980 Points:821,040 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 3:39:36 PM Ignore gknee09 Report Abuse The cost is minimal compared to the cost of an accident, emergency vehicles and personnel, cleaning up the litter etc . . . and it is a nice way of accommodating the emotional end of the situation. Heck, if people are coming all the way from South Africa to see it, then it must be impressive.
txrojo2005 All-Star Author Austin Posts:763 Points:477,920 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 3:24:13 PM Ignore txrojo2005 Report Abuse Whenever I see these memrials I take note and slow down. They are telling us that something bad happened at this location.
snappytom2 Champion Author Corpus Christi Posts:3,541 Points:274,320 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 2:43:11 PM Ignore snappytom2 Report Abuse Hmm.
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,442 Points:1,323,805 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 1:21:57 PM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse Back in the early days of the auto many states were pressed to erect crosses for each person kill and on the site. This sure didn't work out very well. In about 10 years the roadsides looked like a non-ending cemetery and finally they were outlawed to my knowledge. Now I see the practice getting legs again. Roadway management, mowing etc is very difficult as the number steadily increases. States need to take these down as needed. And who wants to be reminded every day when you go to work of "There's where old joe got smashed!" Or "Aunt Molly bought it over there." Use your head. I like what Rhode Island did. [Edited by: gasokie at 4/27/2012 4:25:32 PM EST]
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:2,993 Points:596,760 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 10:23:43 AM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Thank you for posting.
Alfied Champion Author Riverside Posts:7,930 Points:1,754,310 Joined:Jun 2001	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 10:16:37 AM Ignore Alfied Report Abuse What for?
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,962 Points:2,343,560 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:07:06 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Roadside Memorials and signs (<2 feet high) in a safe and carefully chosen area. A nearby highway 'Rest Stop' or other safe areas seems appropriate and keep the distractions on the the state and federal highways to a minimum. Pay attention to driving at all times and do not become a statistic. Roadside memorials do point out danger spots where tragic accidents have occurred in the past. The forest service will also remove 'unauthorized' memorials from national forest land where people have lost their lives. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
Hop1LA Champion Author Baton Rouge Posts:3,304 Points:1,174,545 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:02:15 AM Ignore Hop1LA Report Abuse Ok
BWALL2700 Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,174 Points:195,735 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:01:58 AM Ignore BWALL2700 Report Abuse ok
lightbulbman2008 Champion Author Worcester Posts:414,300 Points:1,585,685 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:59:01 AM Ignore lightbulbman2008 Report Abuse ok...
ss70 Champion Author Detroit Posts:9,645 Points:1,868,150 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:56:33 AM Ignore ss70 Report Abuse Road side memorials are real distractions
CORKYWC All-Star Author Chicago Posts:548 Points:2,115,410 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:56:25 AM Ignore CORKYWC Report Abuse This doenot lower gas prices.
mazdaboy Champion Author Portland Posts:7,878 Points:2,096,305 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:54:00 AM Ignore mazdaboy Report Abuse Read this yesterday.
fullauto Champion Author Reading Posts:5,310 Points:1,470,115 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:53:52 AM Ignore fullauto Report Abuse evolution exists today. vehicles are smarter than ever before. make a car idiot proof, and the world will provide a better idiot to pilot themselves out of the gene pool.
eddyp94 Champion Author Ontario Posts:8,163 Points:1,660,835 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:53:21 AM Ignore eddyp94 Report Abuse Don't care, just lower oil prices...
mikesr100 Champion Author Sacramento Posts:3,883 Points:1,078,785 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:51:28 AM Ignore mikesr100 Report Abuse And that lowers the price of gas how?
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:7,417 Points:1,470,870 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:50:58 AM Ignore NorthglennBill Report Abuse Don't really understand these roadside memorials. I am not sure that I would want to "glorify" the place where one of my friends or loved ones were killed.
WhiteTreeIndian Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,644 Points:1,120,160 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:50:01 AM Ignore WhiteTreeIndian Report Abuse Good to hear someone is working on this.
bicycler Champion Author Ontario Posts:14,815 Points:2,598,445 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:43:31 AM Ignore bicycler Report Abuse A very valid point! For a time I read -Suggestions- signs. Now I see them as a traffic hazard~
sciotosix Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,739 Points:664,175 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:41:24 AM Ignore sciotosix Report Abuse Sad, but has nothing to do with the price of gas.
radiorumor Champion Author Texas Posts:2,802 Points:751,910 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:39:48 AM Ignore radiorumor Report Abuse Texas at one time was thinking about selling a monument for families to buy and put out at locations.
focusvt Champion Author Detroit Posts:9,195 Points:1,592,730 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:37:49 AM Ignore focusvt Report Abuse I like the idea.
NotmeuQc Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,646 Points:1,132,075 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:37:28 AM Ignore NotmeuQc Report Abuse I like this idea and more States/Provinces should follow this idea.
BlueLesPaul2006 Veteran Author Delaware Posts:401 Points:92,900 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:34:28 AM Ignore BlueLesPaul2006 Report Abuse Algernon how does voting Obama out in 2012 have anything to do with road side memorials? Troll
ramshot412 Champion Author Riverside Posts:20,142 Points:2,464,515 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:34:16 AM Ignore ramshot412 Report Abuse Vote boehner out in 2012!!!!!!!!!!
Mr Tex All-Star Author Dallas Posts:868 Points:2,491,855 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:33:30 AM Ignore Mr Tex Report Abuse I see plenty of rubber-necking at "memorials."
Heltonw Champion Author Montana Posts:3,299 Points:1,657,415 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:32:21 AM Ignore Heltonw Report Abuse Driving slower is safer.
Algernon Champion Author Greensboro Posts:3,190 Points:783,995 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:30:41 AM Ignore Algernon Report Abuse Vote Obama out in 2012!!!!!!!!!!
5Golfer8 Champion Author Tucson Posts:2,133 Points:299,675 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:30:33 AM Ignore 5Golfer8 Report Abuse Ok
DriverofRed Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,168 Points:410,910 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 8:30:29 AM Ignore DriverofRed Report Abuse ok