Save the Season for Emerald Isle Beach Driving

Beach driving in Emerald Isle is a decades-old tradition that has provided numerous benefits to different groups that reside in or visit the town, including fishermen, surfers, the elderly, and the disabled. For some, especially those of old age and/or with physical ailments, the beach driving season is the only time of year that they can reasonably access and enjoy the beach strand.

Emerald Isle town leaders are currently proposing to push back the start date from September 15 to October 1 (17 days) and shorten the end date from April 30 to March 15 (47 days). Including the annual 10-day beach driving freeze around Easter, the resulting loss of beach driving time is approximately 2 months.

Town Manager Matt Zapp has stated that this proposal centers on “safety and allocation of scarce resources,” and a majority of commissioners support reducing beach driving time (see “Further Reading” below). However, Matt Zapp’s claim is illegitimate, and commissioners’ support for this plan is unfounded.

According to Carteret County Emergency Communications, there were zero phone calls to emergency services involving any beach driving accidents on the beach strand in Emerald Isle over the past year.

Likewise, reducing the yearly window in which beach driving is allowed does not automatically lower the risk inherent in the operation of a motor vehicle. Drivers can and should use sound judgment while operating on the beach strand, just as they would in neighborhoods or other shared areas. With the hiring of a new, full-time Public Information Officer, the Town has demonstrated that it possesses the resources to promote beach driving safety and encourage responsible motor vehicle operation.

Economically, beach driving provides many benefits to the community. It brings well-appreciated business to our area in the off season, through purchases of bait and tackle, food and beverage, gasoline, apparel, lodging, and other goods and services. Reducing access to those who enjoy our beach in this way will drive away dollars or push that lost revenue to other areas.

We, the signees and supporters of this petition, recognize beach driving as a privilege, and we treat this opportunity with respect and appreciation. Safety is of paramount importance to all in our community. As the data suggests, safety on shoreline can and will continue to be achieved without eliminating the opportunity for many to access and enjoy the beach strand through vehicular means during the off-season. 

Please join us with your support, to call for the elected officials of the Town of Emerald Isle to cease and desist the planning of the reduction of the recreational beach driving season. Lets come together to “Save the Season” for ours and future generations!

 

Further Reading

Article: “Zapp talks proposed changes to beach driving, paid parking in Emerald Isle”

Date: January 1, 2021

Link: https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_c4bbf832-4ad6-11eb-8c99-775a94ea7314.html

 

Article: “Emerald Isle to consider increases to paid parking, reduced beach driving season”

Date: December 27, 2020

Link: https://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_f7b317ee-4472-11eb-90f7-1f11570dbe2f.html?fbclid=IwAR0jjLrnCp-TH5r0Yaskyvytc5AO7cpKLN3vMIjCWxofaggtHegdudQBHFs

 

Town of Emerald Isle Beach Driving Information

Link: https://www.emeraldisle-nc.org/beach-driving