Residents press town for seasonal limits on beach driving after summer incidents

Dozens of callers and in‑person speakers urged the East Hampton Town Board to restrict vehicle and truck access on Napeague beaches during the summer season, saying recent trends and an August accident in Bridgehampton show the practice is unsafe. Marsha Green and Elise Platt recounted the Bridgehampton incident in August when a beachgoer’s foot was run over, and they asked the town to act before a more serious injury occurs.

Speakers noted environmental harms — ruts in dunes, compaction, brake dust and microplastics — and recommended targeted seasonal restrictions or signage to channel truck traffic to less populated stretches. "The beach is not a roadway. It's not a parking lot," one caller said, urging the board to protect beachgoers and the shoreline. Several residents suggested simple measures, such as a no‑right‑turn sign at a specific access to reduce through‑traffic, while others requested that the town coordinate with state park managers to shift heavy vehicle access to underused areas.