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JEFFERSON CITY -- Families who have had loved ones killed by drunk drivers might soon be able to put up roadside memorial signs.

Legislation that passed through the House and Senate last week, and is now headed to Gov. Nixon's desk, would allow families to purchase special tribute signs for a little over $1000.

All of this is the result of one Missouri woman's very personal crusade.

It's been 25 years since Gail Rehme's brother, 19-year-old David Poenicke, was killed by a drunk driver on his way home from a Cardinals game.

Rehme wanted to do something to honor him. After seeing crosses and flowers left on the side of the road - indications of a tragic crash - Rheme wanted to let others, including herself, have a more permanent tribute, that could also serve as a deterrent.

For the past three years she's lobbied lawmakers to allow special roadside signs dedicated to anyone killed by a drunk driver.

"I just felt like it was something I had to do," Rehme said.

Rep. Bill Deeken (R-Jefferson City) became an ally and sponsored Rehme's bill. For two years straight it was shot down. But it finally passed last week, after it was added onto another bill. Deeken said the signs could cut down on drunk driving incidents.

"Two years ago there were over a thousand people killed on our highways," Deeken said. "And over 500 of them were killed by drunk drivers...It's time to send a message."

Rehme said she was in "disbelief" when she Deeken called her and told her the bill passed. She then "burst out into tears."

"This is huge, this is my life, this is what I'm supposed to do," Rehme said. "This is something that I feel in my heart, it's something that I was chosen for. And I just feel I'm blessed to be the one who was picked to do it."

The memorial signs, which will be blue, will be the same size as other roadside signs. At the top it will say "Drunk Driving Victim." Below that, it will have the person's initials and the month and year they were killed. At the bottom it will say "Think About It!"

Lawmakers say the initial slogan, "Who's Next?" was changed because it was too harsh.

The signs would be kept for up to 10 years and maintained by MoDOT. After a decade, families could opt to have them renewed. 

Critics say the they would be too distracting and the money would be better spent on prevention programs

Rehme says she wants to take her campaign national and have signs put up across the country. She hopes they will make people think twice about the dangers of drinking and driving - which she says, is the ultimate goal.

She's also started a non-profit group - called "Who's Next?" - and is raising money so families won't have to shell out a cent for the signs.

"They've been through enough, you know, to lose a loved one to drunk driving," Rehme said. "And then to have to think about paying for a memorial marker for their loved one it's just not an option. We don't even want you to have to think about that."

If Nixon signs the bill into law, the drunk driving signs could start showing up as soon as next year.