Ireland will host the next International Symposium on Roadside Memorials in Collins Barracks next June, it has been confirmed.

The event will examine the rising prevalence of families who choose to bury deceased relatives by the road where they died in traffic accidents.

The news comes as local councils have raised concerns about the growing popularity of roadside memorials, saying they are becoming increasingly dangerous.

Westmeath County Council said the memorials, which attract visitors to dangerous locations, can be a distraction to road users and block vision. The council still allows for the memorials to be built, but under strict guidelines.

Carlow County Council also raised the issue in 2006 to determine what the policy should be for the creation of memorials, with an effort to limit the creation of large structures.

Noel Brett of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) said the authority had "no strong opposition to the building of roadside memorials".

"The creation of these roadside graves is covered by local authority planning laws. We have no strong opposition to families who want to put these in place because we realise that since 1 January 1970, families have lost over 18,000 loved ones to our roads and it is essential that these victims can display how they were robbed of a life."

Brett did, however, add a word of caution to bereaved families.

"We would strongly advise they should never be constructed in such a way as to cause any danger to drivers on the road. The plaques should be not be too large, and things like trees which will grow to be obstructions should not be put in place. We would also strongly urge people not to stop at the roadside as it is a big danger, but to instead remember their family members in a cemetery or a day of remembrance."

Last weekend, the RSA held its day of remembrance for those who have died in accidents on Irish roads.