You’ve probably noticed roadside memorials all across Southwest Florida. Some of them have been there for years after marking the spot where someone was killed.
Although they can hamper road crews from doing their work and often litter the highways — one state lawmaker wants to protect them.
A rain-soaked teddy bear, pictures of loved ones and dozens of flowers and even a Christmas tree now mark the spot where five teenagers were killed earlier this year in a tragic car accident near Top Golf in Fort Myers. A new bill would protect memorials like this requiring anyone who wants to alter them to first notify loved ones.
Terrance Clay of Fort Myers said he lost a best friend to a motorcycle crash and appreciates and understands roadside memorials.
In fact, his entire car is a memorial to L.A. Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant who was killed in a 2020 helicopter crash.
“That was my favorite player,” Clay said.
He supports a bill requiring anyone who plans to alter or remove a roadside memorial to contact family members first.
Cici Samuel of Lehigh Acres said that is the respectful thing for anyone to do.
“That’s all it is, is respect and showing respect to the families,” Samuel said.
However, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) said sites like the one near Top Golf can become problematic for workers.
Fort Myers Attorney Chris Cosden argues that notifying families could also become problematic.
“It certainly could be a problem. I’m not quite sure how the county could be expected to know whose memorial that is,” Cosden said.
FDOT discourages roadside memorials, saying they can become a problem for highway workers.
FDOT said in a PSA, “While FDOT understands that many of these items were left out of love we ask families not place items at these sites.”
Instead, they suggest a small metal plaque approved by the state to mark the site of a tragedy.
“It’s nice. Every time you drive by you see it and you remember what happened,” Samuel said.
House Bill 421 was proposed after Palm Beach County officials removed a memorial where several teens were killed and never told the families.
If the new bill is passed by lawmakers and signed by the governor, it will go into effect on July 1, 2024.