The roads authority is working to create a uniform approach to the memorials, amid concerns the crosses and other tributes are distracting and could bring back painful memories for witnesses.

There have been several issues with roadside memorials on the Border, with at least two damaged on multiple occasions by vandals.

VicRoads occasionally receives complaints about memorials from the public.

Debbie Andrew, who lost her daughters Emily and Brooke Salske in a car crash on Baranduda Boulevard in January, said the memorials were important to people who had lost loved ones.

Her daughters’ memorial has been targeted several times, with rubbish left at the site and the crosses moved to a cemetery

A note left at the site in June labelled the memorial an “ugly, bogan roadside mess” and threatened to “send to you the clean-up bill”.

“A lot of the complaints were about it being distracting,” she said.

“I don’t see how it could be distracting.

“If a memorial is not dangerous and is kept neat and tidy, I don’t see how people could have a problem with it.”

Ms Andrew said the crosses shouldn’t bring back memories of accident scenes as “it’s with you every day”.

Vicki Richardson, who has had similar problems with the memorial to her daughter Brooke near Cobram, said there needed to be a clear policy to avoid conflict.

But she said it would be hard to find the right policy and said she hoped it would not lead to memorials being taken down.

VicRoads regional director Bryan Sherritt said under current guidelines, the memorials could not be distracting, interfere with road signs or be hazardous to passing traffic.

“VicRoads recognises that in times of loss, an understandable part of the grieving process can include the establishment of roadside memorials,” he said.

“While we respect the importance to family and loved ones to establish a memorial on a roadside, road safety for all roads users remains VicRoads highest priority.”