Golf Cart Mishaps – Necessitates Golf Cart Safety Message

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company offers this message regarding golf cart safety.  Indian River has experienced an increased response requests with reported golf cart mishaps within our immediate fire district and we would like to place emphasis on the following message.

Golf carts are no longer used just on the golf course. Instead, they have become a primary mode of transportation in many public and private venues such as residential neighborhoods, campgrounds, sales lots, recreational events, et. al.

What are the Dangers?

Golf cart accidents can result injuries such as concussion, fracture, road rash, trauma, and head injury to mention a few.  Every year, a few golf cart injuries result in the death of the driver or passenger.

Golf carts often lack safety features, such as seatbelts, airbags, and doors.  There is nothing keeping riders in place, especially young children who can’t reach the floor or a handhold.   

Why Are Golf Cart Accidents So Serious?

• Lack of restraints. There is one good reason why so many people fall out of golf carts – most of them do not come equipped with seat belts or restraints. This increases the risk that the driver or passengers may fall out and helps explain why it is such a common cause of injury and death in golf cart accidents.

• Open sides. Golf carts are easy to get in and out of because they don’t have doors. However, this feature also allows for occupants to be more easily thrown from the vehicle.

• Impaired driving. Unfortunately, alcohol is one of the major risk factors for golf cart accidents. There is a common misconception that golf cart is less serious of a vehicle than a car and therefore decreases the likelihood of serious injury.

What Can We Do?

Awareness and safety equipment would be a great help!  Reducing accidents lies with golf cart drivers who have a duty to drive safely as well as protect passengers and pedestrians. Owners can exercise further caution by ensuring only responsible adults get behind the wheel of their golf cart.

Golf cart accidents are wholly preventable. When drivers understand the limitations of their vehicles and the increased risks associated with operating a golf cart, they directly contribute to the reduction of golf cart accidents in the future.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company offers this golf cart safety message specifically based upon our incident response.  We have compiled a list of golf cart safety tips to help you stay safe this summer season.

1. Always register your golf cart with the respective park management, development, or required authority in your area.  Always display authorized license plate, decal, or placard.

2. Always keep your golf cart well maintained and in tip-top shape Inspecting your golf cart often helps to cut down on unwanted surprises and helps keep you safe as you enjoy your golf cart usage.

3. Always drive responsibly; arms and legs should always remain in the vehicle and, if your cart is equipped with them, seat belts should always be fastened.

4. Always operate your golf cart from the driver’s side only.

5. Do not overload your golf cart with people.  Only carry passengers that you have seats for. Do not try to squeeze in extra passengers.

6. Never drive recklessly or joy ride. Be courteous to other drivers and obey vehicle traffic laws and the rules of the road in your area.

7. Never drive intoxicated or under the influence of any alcohol, drug or narcotic.

8. Avoid distractions while operating your golf cart. Remain attentive and avoid talking, texting, or reading while driving, reaching for objects, applying makeup or eating.

9. Never allow anyone to stand in the vehicle or on the platform located in the back of the vehicle and never put the vehicle in motion until all passengers are safely inside the vehicle and buckled in.

10. Always use hand signals or turn signals to indicate upcoming turns as well as your turn signals. Turn signals may be small or go unnoticed by vehicles behind you so it’s always a good idea to use hand signals as well.

11. Always check blind spots before turning. When making a left-hand turn, yield to the through traffic lane and merge into that lane before turning left.

12. Use caution while turning and look behind your golf cart before backing up.

13. Avoid excessive speeds, sudden starts and stops, and avoid sharp turns at fast speeds and speed bumps.

14. Reduce speed depending on the driving conditions and driving environment. Reduce speed on hills and inclines or declines, blind corners, and yield to pedestrians.

15. Do not leave keys in golf cart while unattended and always make sure to set the parking brake.

16. Always yield to pedestrians.

17. Use extreme caution in inclement weather. Golf carts may be prone to lightning strikes. Avoid driving in inclement weather if you can.

18. Above all, make sure to have fun and stay safe anytime you are working on, riding on or driving yours or someone else's golf cart.