DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Volusia County is thinking about changing the rules on where people can drive on the beach. The County Council voted unanimously to start the process of expanding beach driving in Daytona Beach.
The new driving area would stretch from International Speedway Boulevard to Auditorium Boulevard, where driving is not allowed right now.
This part of the beach is close to the pier and boardwalk. Business owners in the area have been asking for years to make this section of the beach open for driving. Even though their requests were turned down last year, they have now received the first approval to move forward.
“This section of beach is the widest in our area that has any chance of having beach driving, so you have way larger lanes to turn in, way more to do,” said Tom Caffrey, owner of the World’s Most Famous Brewery on Main Street.
Caffrey believes that allowing driving on this part of the beach could help businesses not only on the beach but also along A1A.
“It will create a loop that goes from International Speedway to Main Street or Main Street all the way down to Silver Beach and further, allowing all of this to be a cycle again, creating that kind of fun drive atmosphere,” Caffrey explained.
Right now, beach driving is not allowed because of a rule passed in 1996. This rule says that beach parking is not allowed if a certain number of parking spaces on land have been filled. This rule has been in place since the Ocean Center was built, which added around 1,500 parking spots. Some people who supported this rule want to keep the beach free of traffic.
“We’re not a sleepy town anymore. It’s not 1980. We’re okay with the laws right now. It’s worked beautifully,” said Bob Davis, president of the Volusia Lodging and Hospitality Association. He believes the beach should stay clear for visitors who want a peaceful experience.
“Opening up that portion of the beach for people that have been coming for years, such as at the Hilton, they expect no driving,” Davis added.
