Driving on the beach

[FoX]

A few years ago you could recognize every rusty jeep or truck on the beach. Now you see beach permits on a lot of $75,000 SUVs.

Should it be banned? Additional restrictions? Is it safe?

 

[RiverOtter]

I've done it several times. Love it and voted yes. I've yet to see any $75,000 SUV's. Saw a H2 once. Passed a Mercedes, BMW and Escalade all stuck up to their axles though:roll: . I would have helped but they had abandonded the vehicles and were probably well into the cooler.

 

[FoX]

If you vote yes, don't be afraid to tell us why.

 

[UofL]

The beach should be people/animals. Not automobiles. That's the only thing I don't like about Grayton Beach. (Compromise - maybe during the fall and winter seasons when it's mostly locals.)

 

[RiverOtter]

If you vote yes, don't be afraid to tell us why.

It's very unique. One of those things unique to Grayton. Not everybody can do it (paid $100+ last year and I'm sure the fee will keep going up to limit use). It's fun to load up your stuff and friends drive out to the surf and set up camp for an hour or a day . I'm not a local but I have yet to see a traffic jam, or any close calls. The people I have seen are very cautious when driving on the beach.

I would imagine for the locals having the option of driving on the beach would be great! SmilinJOe could grab a wrap and some chips from one of his favorite restaurants, drive up to the surf and have a very nice lunch. After an hour or so go back to making millions in South Walton property .

 

[Smiling JOe]

SmilinJOe could grab a wrap and some chips from one of his favorite restaurants, drive up to the surf and have a very nice lunch.

... and often do.

 

[Kurt]

I think it will have to be limited soon. I imagine price will go way up, because the county won't want to lose revenue.

It's getting dangerous on 4th of July, not only with a high number of vehicles on the beach after dark, but full of fireworks. I wouldn't be surprised to see the county ban vehicles after dark.

 

[Smiling JOe]

There is great potential for a major disaster as the rules are currently written. The rules state that you must be a Walton County property owner or full time resident in order to obtain a permit. However, look around at the license plates on most of the vehicles with Beach Permits, and you will see out-of-state plates. Everyone buying property here is also purchasing a Beach Permit if they have a 4x4 (probably mostly for a status symbol when they go back to the big city). I do think the number of permits should be limited, and not by the price. If they limit it, I would like to see it limited to people who have homesteaded property in Walton County.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Mike B.]

I think it sounds like great fun and Ill have to give it a try later in the summer on one of my trips, but I do have a question about the environmental effects. Do the oil leaks, coolant leaks, transmission fluid, power steering, etc., not offer a possible problem or is it not enough to make a difference in the grand scheme of things?

 

[RiverOtter]

I think it sounds like great fun and Ill have to give it a try later in the summer on one of my trips, but I do have a question about the environmental effects. Do the oil leaks, coolant leaks, transmission fluid, power steering, etc., not offer a possible problem or is it not enough to make a difference in the grand scheme of things?

You have to be a property owner. As far a the vehicle leaks. My 02 SUV doesn't have any. But some of the older veh's I see make me wonder.