Off-road Vehicle Drivers Risking People's Lives on Israeli Beaches

Summer is the time for spending weekends on Israel's beaches, but there are apparently many dangers on the beach, as jeep and ATV drivers dash across the beaches, risking the lives of the bathers. On Saturday, such a jeep moderately inured a woman in her 30's in Hadera. Israel's Channel 2 News reveals that this is a common phenomenon almost on every beach in the country.

The beach, which is supposed to be a peaceful and quiet place, has become over the past few years a venue for jeeps, ATVs and other off-road vehicles, even though the law states that they are only allowed to drive at a distance of 100 meters from the water. Israel Nature and Parks Authority inspectors issue some 1,500 tickets a year to these drivers. However, they do not seem to be deterred.

In a video documenting the inspectors' work, many cars are seen dashing on the beach. In some cases, they are seen approaching bathers, risking their lives and ignoring the Nature and Parks Authority signs prohibiting driving on the beach. Some drivers remove their license plates when crossing the beach.

The tickets issued by the inspectors range from 500 to 1,000 shekels. Last weekend, the Israel Police engaged in a combined operation with the Water Police. 33 traffic tickets were issued in the operation.

Director of the Nature and Parks Authority Shaul Goldstein stated: "Driving on the beach causes immense damage to the environment and poses a life-risk to bathers. Not every country was blessed with a shoreline as we were. We have a small and valuable shore and it is our duty to preserve it."