BRIGANTINE, NJ – We see it happen every year. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the most bizarre things happen here at the Jersey Shore, but one constant thing is visitors driving on the beach with non-four-wheel drive vehicles, getting stuck and people leaving their vehicles parked on the beach during low tide, not realizing there are these things called tides.
Tides come in, and they go out like clockwork every 6 hours. The schedule is so precise that it can be predicted hundreds of years into the future and be completely accurate. Then there are these things called tide charts and tables. They’re free online and even in most Jersey Shore bait and tackle shops.
Another constant is four-wheel drive vehicles getting stuck because people don’t follow the rules or apply common sense.
This week an old viral photo popped up again, and despite claiming it was in Brigantine recently, it was actually taken at Island Beach State Park in 2017 by the Gillich family. The vehicle was not parked, he literally drove it into the ocean and got stuck.
The story about the photo goes like this. The guy wanted to take some super awesome pictures and drive into the water, where he became stuck. He tried to dig himself out, but the more he dug, the deeper the SUV sank into the sand.
It’s basic sandcastle 101 science.
Locals get tired of helping visitors dig out of the sand in places like Island Beach State Park, but the tow companies love it. Tows like this one are not only expensive; dalt water damage can cause long-term problems in your vehicle.
We’re still unsure why the photo resurfaced as a new photo on social media this week, but this incident has been the gift that keeps giving here at the Jersey Shore.
When you get your beach buggy pass at Island Beach, they gave you this paper that gives a lot of good advice. You should follow it and use common sense when driving on the beach.