[Publius6961]

...I have the same reaction. I don't think religion when I see a road side cross, I think, somebody died here, this may be a particularly dangerous section of road for whatever reason. I'll excercise a little more caution.

For many years I resented and disliked this intrusion of a foreign culture (it has been very common and accepted in Mexico forever) into my home state, but over the years I've found that that is exactly my reaction whenever I see a roadside memorial, particularly in isolated non high-volume locations.

It is always a reminder and food for thought.

[Catspaw]

Our city lost its city attorney and one of his small children at a bad stretch of road--no shoulders, metal barriers on each side, just below the crest of a hill, when an elderly man crossed the center line and hit them head-on. They had nowhere to go and they didn't have a chance. I think of him every time I see the crosses. And we do pay more attention when we see other crosses.

[Sam Cree]

Interesting that this custom may have its roots in a foreign country.

We were in Grand Cayman many years ago, they had "black spots," (signs marking the sites of all traffic fatalities) posted on their roads. I guess the atheists in Maryland would regard these as dangerous distractions to drivers.

[a_Turk]

Ever been to Austria? They actually build tiny little roadside shrines able to withstand the inclemencies of the weather for longer than most people live..