You can find something similar here in Romania. You can often see crosses with flower wreaths marking the place and remembering those who died there. Orthodox believers are always making three crosses in front of each church, cross etc. You know, with their hand. I don't know how to explain this, I hope you understand what I mean.
We see the roadside crosses and artifical flowers here, too. I've told my family that I would never want that. If I die in an automibile accident you can bet that spot beside the highway was not a favorite place of mine. If they feel the need to build a shrine, do it somewhere lovely. Not in a road ditch! But that's just me....
We would never do that either. I guess that is more popular at the countryside. I prefer privacy.