Time to stop with the roadside memorials

[sleddogs]

well, this ain’t New Mexico, FRiend. this is America!

???????

Well, my brother in New Mexico is really going to be pissed when he finds out he is not in America anymore.

http://www.fortunecity.com/lavender/tombstone/839/show/70%27s_badluck.wav

[TSgt]

Approximately 400 people die annually as a result of crashes on West Virginia’s highways. To address the problem, the West Virginia Division of Highways has partnered with the State’s highway safety partners to develop a Strategic Highway Safety Plan to reduce highway related fatalities and injuries. Through coordinated disciplines of engineering, enforcement, education, and emergency medical services West Virginia has established a goal of “Zero Fatalities…Saving One Life at a Time”. Additional information on West Virginia’s efforts to reduce fatalities on state highways can be found by viewing the West Virginia Strategic Highway Safety Plan. To help memorialize loved ones killed in vehicular crashes, and remind motorist to drive safely, the Division of Highways has established guidelines to erect and maintain Roadside Memorial Signs. The Roadside Memorial Sign is an official sign that is provided and placed by the Division of Highways, and is installed as close as possible to the site where a fatal motor vehicle crash occurred. The memorial consists of white lettering on a blue background, and contains 1 of 3 messages chosen by the applicant followed by the name of the deceased: “Please Drive Safely” – available for all victims of highway fatalities “Please Buckle Up” – available for highway fatalities where victim was not wearing a seat belt. “Don’t Drink and Drive” – available for victims of a vehicular crash involving alcohol or drugs. Click here to view an example of a Roadside Memorial Sign. Roadside Memorial Signs may be requested within 3 years following the date of a fatal motor vehicle crash by a member of the immediate family of the victim. Only one sign will be permitted per victim and the sign may memorialize more than one victim. If application is approved, the applicant will be informed in writing of the decision along with an invoice for $200 that compensates the Division for its review of the application, the installation of the roadside memorial sign and its maintenance for a period of 3 years from the date of installation. Upon receipt of the non-refundable payment, the Division shall manufacture and install the sign, and shall notify the applicant in writing when the sign has been installed. The applicant may make a second, optional payment of $200 to extend the display and maintenance of the sign for an additional 3 years. At the end of the initial or renewal period, whichever comes later, the sign will be removed and offered to the applicant. Please note that Roadside Memorial Signs are not permitted for persons whose wrongful conduct was the proximate cause of the crash. If the Division’s review discloses clear and convincing evidence that the crash resulted from the commission of a serious traffic offense as defined in the West Virginia Code, Section 17C-5-1 et seq., or from the use of a vehicle in the commission of a felony, or from flight from police, the Division will deny the application and inform applicant in writing.

[ErnBatavia]

Around the east end of our valley (heaviest hispanice demographic, which includes the bangers), you’ll see those - including the ‘street name’, such as Hector “Blinky” Gonzales.

[starlifter]

I'm pretty sure New Mexico is part of America (as much as where you live) since Congress admitted it as the 47th state in 1912.

[EggsAckley]

"... Descansos have been around in New Mexico for centuries. ..."

"...well, this ain't New Mexico, FRiend. this is America!"

Um.......maybe I'm mistaken, but I think New Mexico is IN America.

[LoneStarGI]

I don’t have a problem with people leaving a small handmade cross or a flower or two at the sight of a loved-one who died nearby, if it’s intent is a small, ‘private’ memorial. That’s how it used to be. Now I seeing displays that would rival the wreaths they place at the Tomb of the Unknown. We have one stretch of road near my house that’s had alot of accidents over the years, and I swear there’s one of these elaborate displays every 1/2 mile. Some of them look like shrines, that’s no longer a ‘private’ memorial, it’s like the post says, it’s a ‘look at me, look at me, I’ve got the best display’.

[ErnBatavia]

Don't get me started......

[Scythian]

Got off their cell phone?

And miss out on what Suzie did on her date? No way, not going to happen ...

[TSgt]

[TSgt]

[ASOC]

I see these all over town. First thing I think is “Gangbanger driving”.

But that’s just me.

[Scythian]

I’m going to live a box with a button on it that plays this song right in the spot I kiss the wall ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mcloY9BlOU

[Scythian]

I’m going to leave a box with a button on it that plays this song right in the spot I kiss the wall ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mcloY9BlOU

[starlifter]

In stereo?

[Scythian]

In stereo?

Ya, but that will cost a quarter and go to the Jim Carrol band relief fund ...

[BenLurkin]

Most of those things disappear after the lawsuit settles.

[angcat]

That’s not funny.

[ErnBatavia]

There’s a Hispanic buried about six feet from my Dad’s grave....there’s an engraved Bud Light can on his marker; each holiday you’ll find a couple of empties set on the stone.

[dragnet2]

Can’t we just stay with the tacky window signs that say, “In memory or Raymond Jose Enchilada...Brother, friend, sister, cousin, uncle and loving husband”

[starlifter]

I told my wife that I want her to hire keening women to be at the site of my (untimely) death 24/7.