TOP 10 GOLF CART SAFETY TIPS

With the surging popularity of golf carts and the proportionate rise in golf cart accidents, golf cart safety is becoming a serious concern.

According to one credible source (Consumer Product Safety Commission), there are approximately 18,000 golfcart-related injuries annually. And these are just what are reported. There are far, far more cart-related-injuries that are not.

What’s more disturbing is that a high percentage of these injuries are suffered by children. As more and more electric carts enter our communities and roadways, golf cart safety needs to be addressed.

TOP 10 TIPS TO GOLF CART SAFETY USE SEAT BELTS

Golf carts, especially those that you actually drive on the golf course, don’t have seat belts. But the growth of electric cart usage is not on golf courses but in our neighborhoods and laws are beginning to mandate the use of seat belts on golf carts, NEVs (Neighborhood

Electric Vehicles) and LSVs (Low Speed Vehicles). Having seat belts installed on your cart is not that expensive and can literally save a life.

KEEP ARMS AND LEGS INSIDE THE VEHICLE

If you have ever ridden a carnival ride you know how important it is to keep arms and legs inside of the vessel. Perhaps the most common way carters are injured is when they drag a leg outside of the cart. It only takes a second for the leg to get pinned against a curb or other obstruction and serious knee or ankle injury can result. Keep the appendages inside the cart.

AVOID DRIVING IN RAIN AND SNOW

Golf carts are simply not built to handle well on wet and slippery conditions. Some modified carts with all terrain tires and extra torque from custom controllers are better than others, but overall, it is not safe to drive your cart in the rain or snow. If you find yourself in a situation that you must drive on wet surfaces, take your time, drive slowly, especially when turning.

FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD

A golf “car” is a “car”. People think that because it’s not a real automobile that the rules of the road don’t apply to them. They do. Stop at stop signs and traffic lights. Yield to pedestrians. Signal when turning and changing lanes. Obey all traffic signs. Rules are rules.

DRINKING AND DRIVING IS STILL ILLEGAL ON A GOLF CART

Just like boating, if you are inebriated on a golf cart you will get a DUI. It is unlawful to operate a golf cart, NEV or LSV while under the influence of alcohol. Now while it may be true that there is less of a chance of getting pulled over if you are driving in your neighborhood, if you do get stopped by an officer while under the influence on your cart, the chances are you will go to jail and get charged with a DUI.

AVOID GOING OFF-ROAD

Golf carts are not ATVs. Just because a lifted cart with allterrain tires kind of looks like one, does not mean it can handle the demands of off-road terrain. Many golf cart accidents and consequent injuries happen as a result of the driver mistaking the cart for a 4-wheel drive ATV.

HAVE HEADLIGHTS (AND TAILLIGHTS) INSTALLED

Being able to be seen by other vehicles is a good thing. Having headlights and taillights installed on your cart will help you not only to see where you are going but will allow other vehicles to see you. Being invisible on the road is dangerous.

RESTRICT CHILDREN DRIVERS

Far too many of the victims of golf cart accidents are children under the age of 16. While many jurisdictions don’t require a valid driver’s license for cart drivers, that shouldn’t mean it’s a green light for kids to drive carts. This is largely changing where areas are now prohibiting children under the age of 16 to drive. In addition, the massive financial liability that parents’ risk if something were to happen should be reason enough to restrict young drivers.

PERFORM MAINTENANCE TWICE A YEAR

Golf carts are machines that need maintenance. Check tire pressure, maintain batteries, check alignment. Electric carts are not very complicated but like anything else need routine maintenance.

DON’T OVERLOAD YOUR CART

Golf carts have weight limits. Having ten people crammed into a cart that supports four can lead to bad things quickly.

Golf carts can be a tremendous amount of fun for the whole family. They are becoming a mainstream part of neighborhood transportation throughout this country and abroad. Understanding and implementing golf cart safety is very important and needs to be taken more seriously by everyone.