@article{ref1,
title="Unique roadside memorials: a lesson on road safety from Chile's Atacama Desert Region",
journal="Journal of injury and violence research",
year="2024",
author="Schwebel, David C.",
volume="16",
number="1",
pages="e1868-e1868",
abstract="Roadside memorials are displayed worldwide to pay homage to those lost in motor vehicle crashes, and  scholars  from  a  wide  range  of  disciplines  and geographic locations have discussed the cultural, religious, and psychological impact on passing motorists, victims’ families,   and   society.1-8A   small   body   of   research examines the specific impact of roadside memorials on the safety  of  drivers  passing  by  them;  a  recent  systematic review9 identified  four  relevant  studies,  which  together suggest  roadside  memorials  have  minimal  impact  on driver  distraction  or  speed  but  may  reduce  red  light violations among some drivers.10-13Globally, most roadside memorials consist of either a simple marker, sometimes in the shape of a Christian cross, or a small shrine. These are the types of memorials studied in  previous safety  research.9While  traveling  recently  in the  Atacama  Desert  region  of  Northeast  Chile,  I  came across a different, less common, and more unique form of roadside memorial: destroyed vehicles left at the site of motor  vehicle  crashes.  I  witnessed  burned  trucks  and shelled-out   vehicles.In   some   cases,   tires   and   other salvageable parts had been removed, but the carcassed remains  of  vehicles  stood.  Some  were  left  upside-down. Others were burned, and many were crushed or dented. A  few  were  visible  from  the  roadside  but  lying  below, down inclines or mountainsides; others were left standing directly on the roadway shoulder.In  all  cases,  experiencing a  phenomenonsimilar  to experimental findings from a videotapedexperiment with small memorials in the form of white crosses,10Ifound it difficult  to  resist  inspecting  and  pondering  the  ruins, standing sadly as a memorial to those lost and reminding all passersby of the risks of driving quickly, distractedly, or  intoxicated  on  the  curvy  and  hilly  roadways  of  the remote, mountainous region<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2008-2053",
doi="10.5249/jivr.v16i1.1868",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5249/jivr.v16i1.1868"
}