GREENSBORO, N.C. (WFMY) - Roadside garden blooms are a delightful sight along North Carolina's highways. The flowers are a sharp contrast to the stretch of black tar road, the green foliage, and they are attracting the attention of drivers.
"When you see it, you pass it you see the colors. I guess it would tempt people to stop," said Barbara Hickins who was heading back to Ohio from a vacation to South Carolina with her friends. She said she's had to resist the urge to also take photos.
"I wanted to because they were really pretty, but I wasn't driving, so I took a picture when we didn't stop," added Hickins.
According to The North Carolina Department of Transportation website, the Wildflower Program began in 1985 as an integral part of highway beautification. The wildflower beds are installed and maintained across the state by Roadside Environmental personnel in each of the 14 highway divisions. Many of these beds are marked by NCDOT's wildflower sign.
The Wildflower Program is one of the department's most popular initiatives and recently, some local department of transportation divisions were recognized for their efforts to beautify the roads.
"As it has grown over the years, it has also become our highway pollinator program as well. We have combined that with the butterflies, the birds and the wildflowers all together," said Ken Taffer with the NCDOT.
Many drivers are stopping and parking on the side of the road to take photos and selfies, many of which will end up on social media.
"Family photos, wedding photos anything you can think of as far as a photo goes and they think a sunflower in the background is going to make it good for them," said Taffer.
"There's definitely been an increase in people stopping and wanting to pick, trying to get seed, taking selfies. Stopping is definitely a safety issue for us and it's a big concern."
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) says technically and depending on what road, you should only be stopping on the side of the road if you have an emergency.
"The only three excusable reasons under the law for that is in the event of an emergency situation, if they are directed by law enforcement like a traffic stop or if it is a designated parking area," said Master Trooper Brandon Baker.
The NCDOT on its website also warns drivers not to stop and pick the wildflowers and the highway patrol echoed that sentiment.
"My best advice is to appreciate it as you go by and get to where you are going safely," concluded Trooper Baker.
If you like the blooms so much check out the NCDOT's seeding suggestions and planting techniques for your home garden.