Grace WellsMany areas have begun to legalize the use of golf carts on streets. Since these vehicles aren’t just for the golf course anymore, it makes them more dangerous than ever before. Cruising the neighborhood or going down to the community pool can quickly turn a fun family outing into an accidental tragedy. Follow these safety tips to keep the whole family safe.
Follow the Laws
Just because golf carts are street legal where you live, they still have a different set of rules. Depending on where you live, there may be time-restricted areas, road restrictions based on speed limits, or even certain roads you simply cannot drive on. Most areas will generally have a maximum speed limitation along with certain safety equipment required to drive the golf cart on a street.
Regardless of where you live, check the laws and make sure you not only follow them, but that your golf cart meets the legal standards and is properly licensed or inspected per the requirements.
Kids N’ Carts
Taking the kids out for a ride can be a fun family event. Keep it safe by making sure your kids know how to properly ride in the cart and follow the rules. They should be seated at all times with their feet on the floor. Make use of seatbelts if they are available. Younger children should always be placed in front-facing seats, as riders are much more apt to follow from rear-facing seats.
Safe Driving
Golf carts drive very differently from cars. They are much more susceptible to tipping and fishtailing. The braking systems are different, and the weight requirements and even the weight distribution makes them drive entirely differently than cars. Do not expect them to handle like your car and be aware that passengers can easily be knocked off or fall of the golf cart at every turn and bump.
Avoiding Injury
A golf cart can travel faster than a bicycle, so you should take the same safety precautions with children riding on golf carts as you do when they ride their bikes. Putting a bike helmet on your child, along with other safety gear they would normally wear on their bicycle, is the minimum you can do to help protect them from injury.
If a child is ejected from the golf cart, they can suffer serious injury from the fall and potentially be hit by an oncoming vehicle. Use extra precautions when allowing any child to ride on a golf cart and follow the laws at all times.
Erin Long
