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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 1:11:18 PM Ignore StillWillIV Report Abuse Nice
05HD All-Star Author Cincinnati Posts:873 Points:133,700 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 12:38:38 PM Ignore 05HD Report Abuse GOOD IDEA FOR ALL STATES.
05HD All-Star Author Cincinnati Posts:873 Points:133,700 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 12:37:28 PM Ignore 05HD Report Abuse GOOD IDEA FOR ALL STATES.
123cowboy Champion Author Maine Posts:1,833 Points:407,320 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:14:28 AM Ignore 123cowboy Report Abuse not really a safety issue...
ManOfLeisureII Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,020 Points:481,775 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: May 7, 2012 6:11:55 PM Ignore ManOfLeisureII Report Abuse Road side memorials should be banned everywhere.
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,488 Points:1,347,625 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: May 5, 2012 10:48:12 AM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse How far south can you go from Gila Bend.
tpguess Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,696 Points:395,160 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 12:47:46 PM 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:18,834 Points:1,638,195 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 5:48:25 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:2,131 Points:468,635 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 2, 2012 11:36:19 PM Ignore Jkent1953 Report Abuse Sorry for their losses, but keep the memorials in the cemeteries.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,834 Points:1,638,195 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 2, 2012 6:36:28 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:3,488 Points:1,347,625 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:06:36 PM 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:18,834 Points:1,638,195 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 5:49:35 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 6:27:11 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:1,168 Points:307,705 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 1:11:02 PM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse ok
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,834 Points:1,638,195 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 5:51:09 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:577,230 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 29, 2012 12:38:30 AM 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 11:58:42 PM Ignore cashpayer Report Abuse Not every article needs to be about gas prices.
skybiker Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,413 Points:1,587,590 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:24:36 PM Ignore skybiker Report Abuse Please! I've never seen a memorial that was a distraction or blocked sight...
my2002m Champion Author Tulsa Posts:6,218 Points:1,698,205 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 10:49:09 PM Ignore my2002m Report Abuse And this impacts gas prices how?
nannieb43 Rookie Author Georgia Posts:24 Points:107,485 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 9:34:02 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 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:1,001 Points:845,485 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 6:39:36 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:803 Points:501,780 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 6:24:13 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:3,639 Points:279,280 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 5:43:11 PM Ignore snappytom2 Report Abuse Hmm.
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,488 Points:1,347,625 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 4:21:57 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:3,144 Points:625,660 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 1:23:43 PM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Thank you for posting.
Alfied Champion Author Riverside Posts:8,079 Points:1,783,940 Joined:Jun 2001	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 1:16:37 PM Ignore Alfied Report Abuse What for?
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,610 Points:2,374,185 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 12:07:06 PM 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:3,449 Points:1,203,220 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 12:02:15 PM Ignore Hop1LA Report Abuse Ok
BWALL2700 Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,174 Points:195,735 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 12:01:58 PM Ignore BWALL2700 Report Abuse ok
lightbulbman2008 Champion Author Worcester Posts:420,800 Points:1,615,335 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:59:01 AM Ignore lightbulbman2008 Report Abuse ok...
ss70 Champion Author Detroit Posts:9,944 Points:1,897,200 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:56:33 AM Ignore ss70 Report Abuse Road side memorials are real distractions
CORKYWC All-Star Author Chicago Posts:575 Points:2,138,850 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:56:25 AM Ignore CORKYWC Report Abuse This doenot lower gas prices.
mazdaboy Champion Author Portland Posts:8,034 Points:2,126,930 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:54:00 AM Ignore mazdaboy Report Abuse Read this yesterday.
fullauto Champion Author Reading Posts:5,430 Points:1,493,915 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:53:52 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 11:53:21 AM Ignore eddyp94 Report Abuse Don't care, just lower oil prices...
mikesr100 Champion Author Sacramento Posts:4,035 Points:1,108,415 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:51:28 AM Ignore mikesr100 Report Abuse And that lowers the price of gas how?
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:7,562 Points:1,499,645 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:50:58 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:5,795 Points:1,149,060 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:50:01 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 11:43:31 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:2,889 Points:694,575 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:41:24 AM Ignore sciotosix Report Abuse Sad, but has nothing to do with the price of gas.
radiorumor Champion Author Texas Posts:2,951 Points:782,290 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:39:48 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:9,439 Points:1,622,680 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:37:49 AM Ignore focusvt Report Abuse I like the idea.
NotmeuQc Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,761 Points:1,160,150 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:37:28 AM Ignore NotmeuQc Report Abuse I like this idea and more States/Provinces should follow this idea.
BlueLesPaul2006 Veteran Author Delaware Posts:401 Points:93,350 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:34:28 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:20,279 Points:2,491,565 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:34:16 AM Ignore ramshot412 Report Abuse Vote boehner out in 2012!!!!!!!!!!
Mr Tex All-Star Author Dallas Posts:897 Points:2,502,635 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:33:30 AM Ignore Mr Tex Report Abuse I see plenty of rubber-necking at "memorials."
Heltonw Champion Author Montana Posts:3,451 Points:1,687,065 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:32:21 AM Ignore Heltonw Report Abuse Driving slower is safer.
Algernon Champion Author Greensboro Posts:3,190 Points:785,145 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:30:41 AM Ignore Algernon Report Abuse Vote Obama out in 2012!!!!!!!!!!
5Golfer8 Champion Author Tucson Posts:2,263 Points:326,925 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:30:33 AM Ignore 5Golfer8 Report Abuse Ok
DriverofRed Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,313 Points:437,485 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 27, 2012 11:30:29 AM Ignore DriverofRed Report Abuse ok