Tide is out for beach driving

People who want to drive on a beach will need to get a permit from the Department of Environmental Affairs.

Drivers in "a coastal area" without a permit could be arrested and their vehicle seized.

A "coastal area" is defined in this context as the area between the high-water mark and up to 500m landwards, and where dunes, wetlands, mangroves, lagoons, salt marshes, salt pans and mud flats occur.

The new regulations are part of the Integrated Coastal Management Act of 2008.

In the past, driving a 4x4 on a beach was banned, with exceptions being made for fishing competitions, scientific research, tourism businesses, and the disabled.

Now even people previously exempted must get a permit.

The new rules have been described as heavy-handed by off-roaders.

Johan Eder, marketing manager of the Four-Wheel Drive Club of Southern Africa, described the new restrictions as the product of insufficient research.

"I do not think the minister did any research before coming up with these regulations.

"We live in a beautiful country and I believe that it is for all of us, not just a few. They should regulate driving on beaches, not ban it completely," said Eder.

"We see this as a very heavy-handed approach by the government without consultation of the four-wheel drive community. Nobody consulted the communities along the coast."

Eder said the government should have introduced special driver's licences for ecologically sensitive areas.

He said that drivers should be trained by either SANParks or the Department of Environmental Affairs before they could obtain an off-road licence.

"The fee for this licence could be used for nature conservation in coastal communities," he said.