A LABOR OF LOVE: SPRUCING UP AREA AROUND MEMORIAL

(Ed.'s Note: The relative of a traffic accident victim performs his labor of love and trims the grass along the I-69 (US 77-83) highway as traffic passes by.

Roadside memorials – known locally as descansos – have long been a part of Texas tradition and are allowed if you follow the Texas Department of Transporttion guidelines. Often relatives of the dead will place motifs that depict the departed's favorite things.

The Department of Transportation's Paul Braun says us although they encourage the memorials, there are guidelines that must be followed.

"TxDOT emphasizes and sympathizes with people who have lost love ones in traffic crashes," says Braun. "We understand the want and need for wanting to put up a memorial, however it has to be done in a way that will not endanger the rest of the traveling public."

The department has guidelines for what kind of material the memorial is made of, how big it is, placement, and how it looks to make sure it will not be distracting to drivers.

To learn more about the TDoT guidelines for memorials, click on link: http://media.graytvinc.com/documents/Roadiside+Memorials+Rules.pdf