Stockton Beach, just north of Newcastle, is back in the news. On Sunday two men collided head on when approaching the crest of a large dune from either direction.

Authorities are urging 4WDers to understand that the same regular road rules apply on Stockton Beach. However, it seems that some people choose to ignore them, which seems to cause these deadly accidents. 4WDers need to understand that Police conduct regular speed checks and random breath tests along the beach.

Some people are calling for mandatory sand flags on Stockton to prevent any future accidents. While these accidents are dangerous, it will only be a matter of time before there is a fatality on the dunes of Stockton.

All it will take is one fatality at Stockton for NPWS to implement a full crackdown on all movements in Stockton.

However, new NPWS rules and regulations of Stockton force the majority of 4WDers into designated spaces and block off large sections of the dunes. With such a highly populated area, an accident was bound to occur.

In an interview with the Newcastle Herald, NPWS Hunter Regional Manager Robert Quick said, “We spend a lot of time trying to get people to understand that the same rules apply out in the dunes as on the roads”.

Image Source: Newcastle Herald

What are your thoughts? Are the rules on Stockton too hard? Or do they need more encouragement to enforce the current rules?