Roadside memorials

Motorists in Missouri are familiar with roadside memorials for victims of fatal mishaps. Current state law bans such memorials, but compassionate prudence has always prevailed. The Missouri Department of Transportation rarely removes the memorials out of respect for those who have lost loved one in highway accidents.

A bill in the Missouri Legislature would re-enforce the ban on such memorials, but it would allow families or friends to pay more than $1,000 for signs to be put up by the Missouri Department of Transportation. The signs would stay up for 10 years -- longer if maintenance costs are covered.

The proposed wording on the signs lacks any of the tender respect usually displayed in the makeshift memorials of wreaths and crosses. If approved, the signs would say: "Drunk Driving Victim!" with the initials of the victim followed by "Who's Next?"

A few other states already have approved similar signs, although the wording tends to be softer and the victim's name is generally included.

The aim of the Missouri bill is to deter drunken driving -- at the expense of grieving family and friends.

Each year there are about 500 alcohol-related fatalities on Missouri highways, or about 40 percent of the total deaths due to highway accidents. A program to remind motorists of the dangers of drinking and driving is a good idea. But the proposed signs do little to pay respect to the memories of loved ones lost to drunken driving -- and they come with a steep price tag.

MoDOT would do better to erect signs reminding motorists of the risks of drinking and driving and continue to allow roadside memorials that reflect the feelings of family and friends.