DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A battle over beach driving on Daytona Beach continues but now city leaders are being asked to pick a side.
The busy season is just getting started on Volusia County's beaches, as a resolution is on the table in Daytona Beach that would support removing cars from a 2-mile section of the beach.
Visitor Haley Bunnell, who said she visits the beach with her young nephews, says she wouldn't mind if cars were kept off the beach.
"If they're playing catch with the ball they might not be paying attention to the cars coming and try to run out and get the ball and there might be a car there," Bunnell said.
Photos: Driving on Daytona Beach
The resolution would not ban cars from the beach, it would be an effort to encourage Volusia County to set standards for restricting driving in one of the busiest areas.
Greg Gimbert, with the group Let Volusia Vote, said only voters should decide the fate of beach driving.
"Volusia seems to be stuck in this cycle of every other month they come back and try to find a new excuse to give away our beach," Gimbert said.
Gimbert said 14,000 residents have signed his petition supporting a beach-driving referendum in next year's general election.
Barbara Schimp signed Gimbert's petition on Tuesday.
"If you want to go to a beach where you don't drive, go to a beach where you don't drive. You've got to drive Daytona," Schimp said.
As the discussion over beach driving restrictions continues so do the county's efforts to protect beachgoers. Officers stay busy reminding drivers to watch their speed on the beach.
But safety isn't the only issue. Some have said that they believe cars on the beach stifle economic development by driving away new condominiums and other business.
Volusia County leaders will discuss a plan Thursday by Councilman Josh Wagner in support of removing cars from Daytona Beach under certain conditions.