Florida Beach Driving Incidents: Beach driving is a long-standing practice in certain parts of Florida, particularly in Volusia County, where drivers are allowed to operate their vehicles on the beach. However, this practice poses significant risks to beachgoers, as evidenced by two recent incidents in which vehicles struck people on the beach, driving over their heads.
Recent Incidents
In one incident, 33-year-old Coleson Janey was sunbathing and dozing face-down in the sand on Ormond Beach when a Jeep attempting to back into a parking spot ran over his head. Janey suffered a broken femur and forearm, as well as a bruised face. The 61-year-old driver of the Jeep was cited for careless driving.
In another incident in February, a 71-year-old woman from New York was sitting in a beach chair at Daytona Beach when a pickup truck ran over her head. She was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The 84-year-old driver told authorities she didn’t know she had hit anyone.
Risks of Beach Driving
Beach driving accidents can be devastating, and the risks are heightened when drivers are not vigilant or when pedestrians are not aware of their surroundings. According to a review of vehicle-pedestrian incidents on Volusia County beaches, most people who are hit are not pedestrians but rather individuals who are sitting in chairs or lying on the beach. In fact, one in three incidents occurred when vehicles were in reverse.
History of Beach Driving Accidents
Beach driving accidents have been a long-standing issue in Volusia County. In 2010, two children were fatally struck on county beaches in separate incidents. A 4-year-old boy was hit by a pickup truck on crowded New Smyrna Beach, and a 4-year-old girl was killed after being struck by a vehicle at Daytona Beach.
Still on Florida Beach Driving Incidents
Safety Measures
To mitigate the risks associated with beach driving, Volusia County has implemented safety measures, including designated driving zones and hours, a 10-mile-per-hour speed limit, and a ban on loud music. However, despite these measures, accidents continue to occur.
Lack of Data on Beach Driving Accidents
One of the challenges in addressing beach driving accidents is the lack of data on these incidents. Unlike street accidents, beach accidents are not reported nationally, making it difficult to determine the scope of the problem. According to the National Safety Council, the risk of accidents is heightened when motor vehicles and pedestrians share a relatively unprotected environment, such as a beach.
Impact on Wildlife
Beach driving not only poses risks to humans but also to wildlife. In some areas, beach drivers have been known to harm sea turtle hatchlings, which are protected by conservation laws. Homeowners in one area of Florida are planning to sue county officials to protect these hatchlings from beach drivers.
Other Areas with Beach Driving
Beach driving is not unique to Florida. Other areas of the United States that allow beach driving include North Carolina’s Freeman Park, Oregon’s Tierra Del Mar, Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula, and areas of Texas’ Gulf Coast. However, the risks associated with beach driving are a concern in all these areas, and measures should be taken to ensure the safety of beachgoers.
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