In my view, there are three issues involved with beaches and sand.

1. Fluid spills. Oil, gas, and antifreeze are noted pollutants. So, keeping your vehicle right side up and in good maintenance should reduce that risk.

2. The sand dunes. The dunes have significant plant vegetation that helps stabilize the dunes. Driving over the vegetation does break down the stabilizing ability of the root structure.

3. Low to high tide zone. Driving within the low to high tide mark does contribute to compaction and there are numerous shell fish that inhabit that area.

My belief is that as long as vehicle traffic is in the open sand area, above the high tide mark and out of vegetation, minimal damage is done to the beach.