Florida’s beach driving is a much-loved and dangerous tradition. The East Coast, particularly Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach, attract year-round residents as well as tourists who indulge in this unusual pastime. This decades-old practice has been increasingly questioned in the wake of a string of recent tragedies involving vehicles plowing into beachgoers. After two serious fatal accidents this year already, safety issues have forced a serious look at the rules and laws governing this very popular pastime.
In nearby Volusia County, the officials have taken several steps to prioritize beachgoer safety. Premium driving fees and stringent driving regulations have been designed to encourage responsible driving behavior on the porous, delicate beaches. Having designated driving zones and restricted hours prevents exposure to harm. Furthermore, a speed limit of 10 miles per hour is enforced on these beaches to reduce the likelihood of accidents. Plus, a restriction on any loud music ensures a calm atmosphere for sunbathers and strollers alike.
Recent Incidents Bring Safety into Question
The regulations haven’t been enough to stop vehicle attacks in restricted areas killing pedestrians. Just this past February, a 71-year-old woman was hit while sitting in a beach chair at Daytona Beach. She was very lucky in that she had non-life-threatening injuries. In late April, a 33-year-old man was seriously injured when a Jeep SUV ran over him in reverse. The driver was allegedly attempting to parallel park on Ormond Beach.
These collisions have sparked a renewed debate on whether it is safe to drive on beaches. Beach accidents chiefly become fatalities, and this is a major issue. According to a 2010 investigation by the Palm Beach Post, Volusia County was responsible for 49 of the beach accidents in the last 15 years, many resulting in serious injuries or death. Tracking these incidents presents challenges.
“We don’t know for certain how many events, and how many injuries, how many deaths occur,” – Kelly Nantel of the National Safety Council
Limited Tracking of Beach Accidents
There’s no equivalent comprehensive tracking for beach accidents, compared to tracking street accidents, making it hard to understand how common they might be. Unlike traditional, documented car accidents that make national headlines, beach accidents tend to fall through the cracks. This alarm was focused on the alarming report from CBS in 2019. It found that beach hazards are largely untracked nationwide, leaving a massive hole in data that does not allow for proper safety efforts.
Florida’s coastal municipalities are uniquely set up with year-round lifeguarding and ready-response safety patrols to help beachgoers in trouble. Only time will tell, but gaps in data about beach driving accidents and harms leave us wondering if the safety precautions in place are enough. As these populations double or triple at the height of the season, protecting the safety of all becomes more essential than ever.
The Community Reacts
Moving into the weekends since these recent fatal accidents, community members have responded with outrage and renewed awareness. Coleson Janey, who was present for one of the occurrences, recounted the tense and confusing seconds.
“I was just screaming,” – Coleson Janey
These types of reactions within the public beach community indicate a rising concern among beachgoers as to the safety of driving on the sand. To be sure, local residents and visitors on the whole are echoing calls for greater awareness and stricter enforcement of current regulations.
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