Africano: Hampton Beach parking changes should be driven by safety, not views

This message is to address a pressing concern regarding the current setup of parking along Ocean Boulevard in Hampton , particularly the area between Highland Avenue and Winnacunnet Road. It is abundantly clear that the existing arrangement poses significant risks to both pedestrians and drivers alike.

The current layout, which requires beach visitors to park their cars between the northbound and southbound lanes of traffic, forces them to unload their vehicles and then cross the northbound lanes amidst potentially distracted drivers. This setup is a recipe for disaster, creating an unreasonable risk for pedestrians, especially children.

For example, a recent incident involving a driver who crashed his truck through two guardrails, a parking kiosk, and the center parking area highlights the unnecessary risk. We are extremely fortunate this event occurred in the off-season and not when families were loading or unloading their cars or standing in line to pay for parking.

Relocating the parking area to the east would eliminate the need for pedestrians to cross a dangerous section of the road, thereby largely mitigating the risk of accidents. Additionally, moving the parking east would shield drivers and cyclists from debris thrown by storm waves, further enhancing safety for all road users.

Moreover, relocating the parking would improve summer traffic flow due to vehicles not having to stop for pedestrians as often. This would also come with the added benefit of encouraging people to stop to enjoy the views. That increased foot traffic would likely translate into visitors spending more time in the area, thereby providing a boost to local businesses.

If having a view of Hampton Beach from the road is deemed a necessity, it can still be achieved by slightly elevating a portion of the road. An elevated segment of Route 1A in this area would help reduce roadway flooding and allow vehicle passengers to look over the parking and pedestrian areas, giving them a reasonable view of the beach and ocean.

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To further enhance aesthetics and safety, the addition of a pedestrian walkway with landscaping and benches should be considered, mirroring the south end of the main beach. This would not only provide a safe designated path for pedestrians but also create a more inviting environment for visitors to enjoy.

Action must be taken to address the obvious safety concerns before a tragedy occurs. Those who advocate for maintaining the current layout will eventually bear the burden of an incident that could have been avoided. It is only a matter of time until we see a pile of flowers memorializing the death of a pedestrian, at worst a child, who was needlessly struck by a distracted driver while crossing Ocean Boulevard. A 29-second view of the ocean while driving is not worth such a tragedy.

In the interest of public safety and the reputation of our community, I urge all officials involved to persist in encouraging safety-conscious changes to the parking, roads and pedestrian areas along Ocean Boulevard. We can prevent senseless accidents and ensure our beaches remain safe places of enjoyment and relaxation.

Nick Africano, of Hampton, is a firefighter and Hampton Beach lifeguard.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Africano: Hampton Beach parking changes should be driven by safety, not views