SPRINGFIELD | Small blue signs may begin appearing along Illinois roadways in an effort to discourage people from drinking and driving.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Friday signed legislation allowing families of victims killed in drunk-driving crashes to apply to put signs reading "Please Don't Drink and Drive" at or near the crash sites.

"Tina's Law," as it's called, is named after Tina Ball, an Illinois Department of Transportation worker who was killed by a drunk driver while standing in a construction zone.

Ball's family pushed for the law, after their makeshift roadside marker was displaced.

Now, signs memorializing victims will hopefully serve as stark notices to drivers about the dangers of driving drunk, said the plan's sponsor, state Rep. Susana Mendoza, D-Chicago.

"It really kind of hits home," she said.

Families will have to apply to IDOT for a sign.

The law takes effect at the beginning of 2008, and signs will be available to families of victims killed after Jan. 1. 2003.

Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or (217) 789-0865.