Outer Banks beach driving restrictions starting

MANTEO, N.C. — Summer beach driving restrictions near villages along the North Carolina Outer Banks are going into effect.

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore closes beaches in front of villages of Hatteras and Ocracoke islands as a safety measure during the summer season when people walk and lounge on the sand.

Seashore Superintendent Mike Murray said the annual closures will start Friday.

Beach driving will be banned on Bodie Island in the Coquina Beach area. Driving also is banned on Hatteras Island on beaches fronting Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo and Avon. Other Hatteras closures include beaches around Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras.

On Ocracoke, beaches are closed to driving in three areas.

The closures are along with restrictions that are in place to protect endangered birds and turtles.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)