Purpose
To provide guidelines for the safe management of vehicular traffic on beaches.
Policy
Driving on beaches is only permitted:
- Should it be approved by the local regulating authority (if applicable);
- where the beach surface structure supports the weight of vehicles;
- where there are no roads running immediately adjacent to the beach; and
- where the driver of the vehicle has undertaken an induction which is recorded in SurfGuard.
On-beach driving shall be undertaken at the slowest safe practical operating speed.
Local government and/or state regulations in relation to speed must be adhered to at all times.
The SSV vehicle should not exceed 20km/h under normal operating conditions. The speed limit for heavily populated areas and between the red and yellow flags is 5km/h.
It is the operator’s responsibility to evaluate the environment to determine a safe and appropriate speed within these limits.
Procedure
Beach Access
Enter and leave the beach only at ramps and designated access points.
Beach access gates, ramps and tracks should be sign posted with appropriate driving rules and regulations specific to the area.
When driving on beaches the following conditions/precautions should be taken into consideration:
- Poor visibility (sun on sand, sea spray and mist).
- Distractions from other vehicles, water and wave conditions, wildlife, fishers, beach users and swimmers etc.
- The best sand vehicles are light.
- Wet sand near the wave line may be hard but an odd soft patch can send you off-course without warning.
- Know your tides, never drive along wave line on a rising tide.
- Be aware of fishers and fishing lines.
- Beware of washouts after heavy rains.
- Always park in the direction of intended travel.
- Sand tyre pressures:
- For beach driving a reduction in tyre pressure to manufacturers specification is recommended.
- It must be noted that tyres deflated to half normal pressure won’t respond to braking or steering as effectively.
- Finding the correct pressure is largely trial & error for a particular vehicle with a particular load, but most vehicles place the lower limit at 16psi.
- Never drive on roads with these reduced tyre pressures.
Other Factors
Other factors that need to be considered and promoted to owners and operators of vehicles to be driven on beaches include:
- Speed of travel on beaches;
- Ground clearance;
- Consistency of the sand;
- Other vehicles and degradation of the beach; and beachgoers;
- Driving on beaches at high tide or on narrow beaches contributes to general beach erosion and erosion of native habitats including birds, crabs and sea turtles.
- Driving on the beach causes sand compaction and rutting and can accelerate erosion.
Rules of the “Road”
The following specific rules of the road shall be met for driving on beaches:
- Vehicles should have a current and valid registration. Only approved vehicles to be used.
- Drivers must have a current and valid:
- Drivers license for the vehicle type;
- Permit to drive on a beach (if required).
- A red or green P-Plate must be displayed in cases where the operator holds a Provisional 1 or Provisional 2 Drivers Licence
- It is the operator’s responsibility to affix the P-Plate in and appropriate and visible spot on the vehicle and to remove it after use.
- Headlight and hazards lights shall be activated when in motion.
- Pedestrians, swimmers and bathers have the right of way over all vehicles.
- Wildlife has the right of way over all vehicles.
- Vehicles should not be driven in the dune systems.
- Seat belts must be worn at all times.
- Passengers should not be carried on the outside of the vehicle.
- Keep to the left of oncoming vehicles.
- Use indicators when overtaking or turning (if fitted).
- A driving suspension automatically means suspension of driving privileges for SLS vehicles.
Accidents/Injuries
Accidents and/or injuries as a result of driving on beaches will be at the jurisdiction of the law.