​Checklist for Improving Golf Cart Safety

Golf carts are small, zippy, and easy to drive, which makes them great fun, but they are not as safe as you might think! Golf cart-related injuries are on the rise, with modern estimates averaging around 15,000 accidents per year. Over one-third of all those involved are children, and crashes, rollovers, and collisions can result in serious injury to passengers and pedestrians alike. In some cases, these incidents can be life-threatening, and, while golf cart-related deaths may seem like freak accidents, the rising popularity of buggies means that the risk of fatality is on the rise.

Gone are the days when golf buggies were used exclusively for getting around the course, particularly in places like South Florida where the many residents of senior living villages often use them to get around the neighborhood. Buggies are inexpensive and easy to operate, so it’s no wonder that people are using them as a mode of transport.

However, they are not often subject to the same rules and regulations that apply to other vehicles, such as cars. This presents a serious hazard, as golf carts can reach speeds of 15-20 mph—and even faster if tampered with. They may not seem particularly speedy, but, given the weight of these vehicles, the fact that they often lack seat belts, and the quietness of the engines, they can do significant damage when involved in accidents.

Fortunately, there are a few simple safety precautions you can take to ensure you are operating these vehicles safely and responsibly. These are inexpensive and easy to implement, and in no way detract from the fun of riding them!

Install a Horn

Installing a horn on your golf cart is a simple and effective way to up the safety factor of your buggy. Many golf carts are electric and make little to no sound when in motion, so a toot on the horn is a great way to alert those around you to your presence and prevent collisions. Horns are inexpensive and easy to install, so there’s no excuse not to have one fitted.

Ensure Drivers Are Experienced and Capable

Golf carts are easy and fun to drive, and so you may see no harm in allowing your kid or grandkid to take a turn at the wheel between holes. The rules around the driving of golf buggies are far more relaxed than those surrounding cars, and so you may not see any harm in allowing someone without adequate driving experience to take a turn. However, those with limited driving skills are far more likely to get into accidents, and this unnecessarily ups the risk factor for those both inside the vehicle and around it.

Seat Belts

Cars are required by law to have seat belts fitted but, (depending on where you live) this may not be the case with golf carts. Rollovers account for 10% of all golf cart accidents, and these incidents often result in the most severe injuries, and sometimes even death. This is largely because of people being ejected from the vehicle when it up-ends. This can be resolved simply by installing seat belts in your cart, to keep people securely in their seats when the vehicle is in motion.

Drive Sensibly

It may seem like an obvious statement—but, drive sensibly. Most golf cart related accidents are caused by people simply horsing around—racing one another, driving too fast, hanging arms and legs outside of the cart when in motion, standing in the cart, and overcrowding. And, of course, never drive (or allow anyone else to) when intoxicated with alcohol or drugs. In short, treat them in the same way as you would any other vehicle!

Headlights

This may not seem like an essential addition to your cart (after all, who goes golfing at night?) but headlights can go a long way toward increasing the safety of your buggy. As mentioned earlier, many golf carts make little to no sound when in motion, and many people use them to get from A to B outside of the course. If you are returning from a round of golf in the evening, a set of headlights is essential for making sure other people can see you coming.

A few inexpensive additions and accessories can up the safety factor of your golf cart so you can enjoy driving your buggy without endangering the well being of your passengers or others around you. Golf carts are enormous fun, but it’s important to remember that they are still vehicles capable of doing significant damage if used improperly.