Following a tragic accident where a woman was fatally struck by a police truck on Myrtle Beach, State Rep. William Bailey has announced plans to introduce legislation banning these vehicles from beaches except in emergencies. The move comes amidst safety concerns raised by the limited visibility and maneuverability of trucks on crowded beaches.
The fatal incident on Myrtle Beach on June 13th involved a longtime police officer driving a Ford Ranger who accidentally rolled over Sandy Schultz-Peters, a 66-year-old nurse sitting on the beach. Despite frantic efforts to save her, Schultz-Peters later died in a hospital.
South Carolina Lawmaker Proposes Ban on Police Trucks at Beaches After Fatal Hit
The incident has sparked investigations by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and Horry County Police Department (HCPD), prompting questions about the safety of using trucks on beaches. Bailey, a Republican former North Myrtle Beach public safety director, believes that the limited visibility and maneuverability of trucks pose a significant risk to beachgoers.
"At the end of the day, it's indefensible... to tell me that you need to have a full-size truck down there when you have people lying on towels," Bailey said. "We need to eliminate the full-size vehicle – the peripheral vision is terrible."
South Carolina Lawmaker Proposes Ban on Police Trucks at Beaches After Fatal Hit
Bailey proposes replacing police trucks with ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) for beach patrols, arguing that they offer similar capabilities while allowing for greater maneuverability and visibility. He emphasized that trucks should only be used in emergencies with sirens blaring to alert beachgoers.
"It's such a tragic event... but it's also a tragic event for these officers who are down there just trying to do their job, who have an accident and they'll be forever impacted," Bailey said.
South Carolina Lawmaker Proposes Ban on Police Trucks at Beaches After Fatal Hit
State Rep. Tim McGinnis, a Republican, has expressed support for the proposed legislation if deemed necessary by public safety officials. "I'm kind of in the investigation stage right now," McGinnis said, "but anything we can do to prevent that and, at the same time, let the police and public safety people do their job is what I want."
HCPD has responded by reducing the use of trucks and increasing the use of foot and ATV patrols. However, the department maintains that trucks remain essential for certain calls for service due to their ability to carry emergency equipment and transport community members.
South Carolina Lawmaker Proposes Ban on Police Trucks at Beaches After Fatal Hit
Bailey's proposal follows similar concerns raised in other states. In Florida, a police sergeant ran over two sunbathing teenagers on Daytona Beach on Memorial Day. In 2020, an Indian Shores Police vehicle ran over a man lying on the beach in Florida, while a sheriff's deputy ran over a sunbathing woman on St. Pete Beach.
Last year, the Palmetto State banned "Carolina Squat" vehicles with elevated front fenders as they obstruct drivers' views. The safety concerns over patrol truck visibility on beaches may prompt similar measures to prioritize the safety of beachgoers.
South Carolina Lawmaker Proposes Ban on Police Trucks at Beaches After Fatal Hit
