Beware of these 7 Hidden Golf Cart Dangers!
What state is home to the most golf courses in the United States? If you guessed Florida, you are correct! According to Travel Magazine, the Sunshine State has 1,250 golf courses. That’s a lot compared to the runner-up, California, at 921.
Who doesn’t love riding in a golf cart? Most people think of fun times with friends and family, not devastating injuries...or death. The shocking truth is that golf carts have been implicated in many tragic but preventable accidents.
In this post, we’ll share what you can do to keep safe while golfing and what you can do to make sure you’re covered if anything unexpected happens.
What makes golf carts so dangerous?
People often assume golf carts are harmless and don’t have the capacity to cause injury, but the opposite is true. Most recent data shows that golf cart injuries are increasing.
It’s tragic to hear about a golf cart accident and know it could have been prevented. That’s why we wrote this blog post for you. Our goal is to keep you and your family safe so you can have fun and enjoy your golf outings.
Here are some crucial things you must know about golf carts before your next time heading out in one:
1. They aren’t toys! Golf carts may seem like fun (and they are), but they’re also moving vehicles, and they often share the roadway with cars. ResearchGate.net reports that the most common cause of injuries are when passengers fall out of, or are ejected from a golf cart.
2. They’re being used a lot more often. College campuses, airports, sporting events, and neighborhood communities take advantage of the quick and easy transportation golf carts offer. Because they aren’t regulated by federal laws, rules for their use vary depending on the area of the country they’re used in. Add that to the fact that some Florida neighborhoods have as many as 50,000 golf cart vehicles in operation in just one community. This raises the risk of golf cart accidents and injuries when so many are added to roadways.
3. Golf carts lack the same safety features cars have. They don’t usually come equipped with seat belts or doors, and it’s easy for passengers to be ejected and injured while being transported.
4. With longer battery life and higher speed capability—danger increases. Some of these vehicles can reach speeds as high as 25 mph. Though that may not seem fast, a situation can progress from fun to reckless rapidly without a seatbelt or following rules of the road.
5. Children under age 16 are the most at risk for serious or fatal golf cart injuries. There are typically no restraints or car seats for infants and children. Without something to anchor them into the vehicle, the risk for tragic accidents increases. Within neighborhoods, parents may allow for (or be unaware of) young teens driving golf carts on roadways illegally. This not only puts their lives but also the lives of their passengers in danger.
6. People often get a false sense of security and drive golf carts while intoxicated. Driving any vehicle while drunk is deadly and it’s against the law. If you see someone swerving or driving a golf cart erratically, report it to the police. Teach children never to get in any vehicle with an intoxicated person or to drive while drunk.
7. Golf cart drivers often neglect to follow rules of the road. This goes back to the idea that golf carts appear to be toys, but emergency room statistics show the reality. From 1990-2006, an estimated 147,696 injuries were caused by golf cart accidents.
Now that you’re aware of the dangers, you can do what’s necessary to protect your friends and family. Golf cart injuries are preventable!
If you own a golf cart, it’s also vital that you have the right comprehensive and collision coverage, as well as bodily injury liability coverage. At Galezano Insurance, we can help you find the insurance requirements you need at the best value.
Talk to an independent insurance agent at Galezano Insurance today. We work for you!