Memorial Day Weekend is one of the busiest weekends in the Myrtle Beach area. Along with welcoming families, the area plays host to several annual events, including the City of Myrtle Beach’s Military Appreciation Days and the Atlantic Beach Bike Fest, a motorcycle rally.
Municipalities through out the region will have increased patrols and may implement new traffic patterns to help ease congestion and increase safety. Here are some traffic and safety guidelines to know before you go:
City of Myrtle Beach Traffic & Pedestrian Information:
The Myrtle Beach Police Department (MBPD) will have a traffic management plan in place over Memorial Day Weekend to help keep traffic moving and increase safety and the ability for emergency vehicles to access key areas. Everyone will have access to their hotels and attractions but should plan accordingly for traffic.
- Traffic will be one-way along Ocean Boulevard. Drivers will use the southbound lane only, while the northbound lane will be reserved for emergency service and police vehicles.
- Kings Highway access points will be located at the following intersections: 21st Avenue North, Mr. Joe White Avenue, Ninth Avenue North, Third Avenue South, Ninth Avenue South, 13th Avenue South, 19th Avenue South, 25th Avenue South, 27th Avenue South and 29th Avenue South.
- Traffic cannot use Chester Street, Withers Drive or Yaupon Drive as a cut-through.
- As circumstances dictate, law enforcement may: Request assistance from the federal, state and other local governments; hire additional law enforcement officers and event staff personnel; divert pedestrian and vehicular traffic; establish and enforce no cruising zones and a temporary cruising prohibition; and, further modify the above vehicle restrictions.
- Golf carts are prohibited on Ocean Boulevard, from 29th Avenue North to the south end of city limits, beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 23, and ending Monday, May 26, when traffic control devices have been removed from Ocean Boulevard. This prohibition excludes vehicles used by law enforcement. Note that South Carolina golf cart laws are enforced.
- On Saturday, parts of Farrow Parkway and neighboring streets in Market Common will be closed from 9:30 to 10:30 to accommodate the annual Military Appreciation Days parade.
- Locals and visitors are encouraged to use wayfinding apps, such as Waze and Google Maps, to navigate traffic patterns.
City of Myrtle Beach Safety Information:
Additionally, MBPD will also have an increased police presence on Ocean Boulevard and on the Boardwalk. Officers will be focused on quality of life issues such as speeding, noise, complaints and disorderly conduct. MBPD and the City of Myrtle Beach also issued these safety advisories:
- Social media accounts are not monitored 24/7. Call 843-918-INFO (4636) for general information. For emergency assistance, call 9-1-1. The Myrtle Beach Police Department’s non-emergency line is 843-918-1382.
- Impromptu parties are illegal in both private and public parking areas.
- The City of Myrtle Beach enforces a juvenile curfew. Juveniles, ages 17 and under, are required to be off the streets, with few exceptions, between 12:00 and 6:00 a.m. Penalties for violating the curfew can be as much as $500 and/or 30 days in jail, upon conviction. Parents can be charged as well. Exceptions to the juvenile curfew include the following: when a minor is accompanied by the parent or guardian; minor is involved in an emergency or on an errand necessitated by an emergency; minor is going directly to or from employment; minor is in a vehicle engaged in interstate travel; minor is on the sidewalk abutting the minor’s home; minor is attending an adult-supervised recreational activity sponsored by the city or a similar civic organization; minor is exercising protected First Amendment rights; and, the minor is married or otherwise legally emancipated.
City of North Myrtle Beach Traffic Information:
There will be an increased presence of Law Enforcement Officers in North Myrtle Beach during Memorial Day Weekend, including supplemental officers from agencies around the state. They are here for the benefit of all residents and visitors, and their key focus in North Myrtle Beach is traffic management, crime prevention, and overall public safety.
- Drivers should remain attentive, watch for motorcycle traffic, and anticipate and be prepared for longer travel times over Memorial Day Weekend.
- Traffic Chute | The North Myrtle Beach Public Works Department will be placing barricades on Friday, May 23, from 37th Avenue South to 25th Avenue South. Any drivers attending the Bike Festival will need to stay in the designated lane. The barricades will be removed on Monday, May 26.
- Common Motorcycle Violations | We encourage drivers to watch out for motorcycles on our roads, and we encourage motorcyclists to avoid doing the following, which are illegal and can endanger others on the road:
- Speeding
- Burnouts
- Weaving between cars
- “Holding” intersections to allow a group to continue through without stopping for a red light or stop sign.
- Common Motorcycle Violations will be enforced with citations and/or arrests with a fine of up to $1,000.
City of North Myrtle Beach Traffic Information:
- Excessive Noise | The City welcomes all visitors and reminds motorcycle riders to respect our community and follow local laws. This includes following the City’s noise ordinance and refraining from speeding, doing burnouts, weaving in between cars, or holding up intersections. We ask that all visitors be considerate of our permanent residents, particularly regarding excessive noise and large gatherings.
- Noise ordinance violations will be enforced with citations up to $1,000 and/or arrests.
- Quiet hours are 11 PM through 7 AM.Prevent
- Motorcycle Theft | Motorcycle thefts typically increase during Memorial Day Weekend. Expensive, custom, and show motorcycles are popular with thieves. Here are some theft prevention tips:
- Avoid parking motorcycles in poorly lit areas.
- Do not leave leathers, cameras, GPS, helmets, or other valuables on your motorcycle.
- Lock and secure your motorcycle. Thieves can easily overcome factory-installed ignition locks; therefore, we recommend using high-quality disk locks, wheel locks, and heavy-duty cable or chain locks.
- North Myrtle Beach Practices “Community Policing” | The North Myrtle Beach Police Department practices “community policing,” which means they work to be accessible and available to interact with residents and visitors. Their goal is to establish mutual trust and respect.
- Visitor or resident, if you have questions about what you can and cannot do in North Myrtle Beach, feel free to approach any of our Police Officers. They are here to assist all in having a safe and enjoyable time.
- Grilling and Tents | To prevent unfortunate incidents caused by improper grilling, please follow the below guidelines/laws:
- Fires are NOT allowed on the beach.
- Do not operate charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices on balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction.
- Do not cook under tents unless the tent exhibits an affixed NFPA 701 flame-resistance rating.
- Tents and membrane structures more than 400 square feet require a permit.
- Beach Regulations | To provide a family-friendly environment for all to enjoy, and to protect and keep clean, there are Beach Regulations in place.
- If you dig a hole on the beach, you must fill it in before leaving the beach.
- It is unlawful to litter (fines up to $1000).
- No alcohol, fireworks, or glass containers.
- Do not damage sea oats and sea fencing; stay off the dunes.
- Swim within 50 yards of shore – Max depth is shoulder height.
- Shading devices other than umbrellas are prohibited from being placed on the beach from May 15 through Labor Day. Prohibited devices include, any material mounted on supports, cabanas, pavilions, sport-brellas or similar devices, tarps, and tents.
- E-Bikes and bicycles are not permitted on the beach from May 15 through Labor Day from 10 AM to 4 PM.
- It shall be unlawful for any person to drive any motor vehicle, of any nature or description, upon the public beach within the City. This prohibition shall not apply to governmental, emergency, or other authorized vehicles. This section in no way prohibits rights conferred upon the handicapped in accordance with South Carolina Code Annotated, Section 43-33-25 (1976 as amended).
- Single-Use Plastics on the Beach | While it is not required, we urge individuals to avoid bringing single-use plastic bags, straws, cups, and any other single-use plastic products on to the beach. If you must bring them, please take them with you when leaving the beach. This helps protect marine life and wildlife, and keeps our beach, ocean, and marshes clean.
- Useful Phone Numbers | Whether you have a question or there is an emergency, we are here for you.
- Non-Emergencies, Call: (843) 280-5511
- Emergencies, Call: 911