Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council has prepared a draft policy to regulate roadside crash memorials across the local authority area in south Dublin. The draft measures, presented to local councillors for consideration, set out specific restrictions designed to reduce potential safety hazards for road users and maintenance personnel.

Under the proposed regulations, a range of items would be prohibited at roadside memorial sites. Prohibited elements include soft toys, reflective or fluorescent materials, illumination of any kind, and floral displays covering an area larger than one square metre. Large or freestanding structures that could distract drivers or create physical obstructions would also be barred.

Anyone seeking to erect a roadside memorial would be required to submit an application for written consent from the local authority, with road safety considerations serving as the primary factor in determining approval. Unauthorised memorials erected without prior written permission could be subject to removal by the council.

The council stated that the policy seeks to balance empathy for bereaved families with its legal duty to maintain safe conditions for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and local authority staff. As potential alternatives to physical roadside tributes, the council suggested option choices such as tree planting or charitable donations to road safety organisations.

In a submission regarding the policy, the Irish Road Victims Association acknowledged that memorials placed in hazardous locations cannot be supported. However, the group noted that appropriately managed memorials can help heighten driver awareness and promote safer driving behavior on public roads.