What is flushing? The Myrtle Beach Police tactic is changing how you drive Ocean Boulevard
After a shooting on Ocean Boulevard, the Myrtle Beach Police Department changed traffic flow on the busy street during certain hours with the hope of controlling crowds.
The tactic, referred to by the police department as “flushing,” makes Ocean Boulevard one way for several hours at a time.
Here is what you need to know to drive during flushing.
What is flushing?
On some weekend nights when flushing is in place, parts of usually two-way Ocean Boulevard are converted to be one way, with traffic directed to Highway 17 Business.
The plan is to turn southbound traffic on Ocean Boulevard toward Kings Highway at 9th Avenue North and do the same for northbound traffic at 8th Avenue North, according to Bryan Murphy, a police captain with Myrtle Beach Police Department.
Why is the police department doing this?
The goal of flushing is to reduce congestion on Ocean Boulevard during busy times to ensure emergency vehicles can pass through, according to Murphy.
“Our main focus is public safety, which includes reducing congestion and being able to respond quickly to emergencies,” Murphy wrote in an email.
When is this happening?
The police department tested the tactic between 4 p.m. and 2 a.m. on April 21 and 22, Murphy said. The city plans on continuing this in the next few weeks as needed.
This practice has been used on Ocean Boulevard for 15 to 20 years, according to city spokesperson Mark Kruea.
What if I need to drive on Ocean Boulevard on a weekend night?
Keep your eyes out and follow any new signs or cones on Ocean Boulevard. City officials said that Google Maps and Waze have been notified of the changes. Visitors still have access to businesses and parking lots in the area, Murphy said.
Where does the name come from?
“Flushing” doesn’t appear to be a common name for this traffic control tactic.
Kruea said that police also call it “turning traffic off the boulevard” or “turn the boulevard.”
