Golf carts, once used only on golf courses, have transcended their traditional function and are used now in different settings like resorts, gated communities and even for road transport. But with the diversification of their use, so also there is a rise in safety concerns linked to them.
A 2018 study in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine focused on the value of specific features of safety. This study found that more hip restraints fitted on golf carts prevented unintended falls from the vehicles when they took sudden stops or abrupt turns. Through the provision of sufficient support, hip restraints served a critical role in averting potential injuries.
This study also highlighted an unfortunate trend of injuries resulting from passengers being ejected out of golf carts during accidents. It was found that the risk of such incidents was reduced by including seatbelts on the 2-seater electric golf cart. The latter ensured that passengers are fastened securely within the cart, boosting overall safety.
Studies like these have revealed that golf cart users should adhere to some critical safety measures to avoid injury and fatality. Some of these measures include the following:
Regular Care
Golf carts are required to be subject to regular maintenance, including daily inspection. They must be driven only by authorised and licensed drivers. No matter how small it is or whatever be its function, a golf cart must be treated like any other vehicle.
Keep Legs and Arms within the Vehicle
The open-air set-up of a 2-seater cart can make it tempting to stick out your legs and arms while riding, but if the cart is travelling close to any other vehicle or next to any physical barrier, such actions can spell disaster.
Make Use of Seat Belts
Seat belts are a vital feature of any golf cart, and in case the manufacturer does not supply these, it is critical that you get them installed. Wearing seat belts is crucial from the moment the golf cart hits the road. Do not overlook this safety measure, as it is one of the most important ones.
Golf carts are much less protective compared to regular cars, particularly since they do not have any doors or any other feature to hold on to. But seatbelts can help you stay secure during rides and lower the risk of injuries in the event of accidents.
Restrict the Number of Passengers
Stay responsible and avoid driving the golf cart with more passengers in the vehicle than the number of seats. Otherwise, this will put the safety of all riders in jeopardy and cause accidents like rollovers. Note that golf carts are less stable compared to regular cars, so balance is of utmost priority.
Abide by Traffic Rules
Many persons are under the delusion that golf carts need not abide by the standard traffic rules on the road. Note that it is critical for drivers of golf carts to obey all traffic rules as well as all regulations of road transport. For example, restrain from over-speeding. At best, the speed of driving a golf cart must be kept within 15 mph, and most are designed to not exceed 20 mph. Or else, they can flip easily on one side as they have a low centre of gravity. Slow driving is ideal also if you are carrying many passengers.
Do not Drive Under Influence
Persons driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are still punishable by law, even if the vehicle is a golf cart. Simply because the latter is a slow vehicle does not mean that the driver is not under the purview of the law.
Know the Hand Signals
All golf carts will not feature operational turn signals, so it is imperative that golf cart drivers be proficient at hand signals for indicating driving intentions. It is also good to check whether the horn is working, and the same for hazard lights and alarms. Be focused and keep your hands on the wheel since accidents can happen within a second of carelessness.
Drive Defensively
When you are driving a golf cart, almost every other vehicle will be going faster on the road. Always look out for passing vehicles and adopt a defensive driving stance overall. This could help avert a major crash accident.
Avoid Extreme Weather
The majority of golf carts do not have the capacity to withstand extreme weather conditions. So, try avoiding driving in snow or heavy rain. You can lose control of the golf cart easily, and the majority of drivers are unfamiliar with handling golf carts in inclement weather.
Protection of Valuables
It is quite easy to jump in and out of golf carts; this implies that any valuables stored in them are a good catch for thieves. To protect such valuables, either take them along when you exit the golf cart or lock them up in special compartments.
Conduct Regular Safety Checks
When golf carts are maintained well, they can last for a long time. But it is important to check regularly whether all its components are in working order. Many golf cart owners do not remember that their vehicle needs regular upkeep like other vehicles, including safety checks at least two times a year.
Install Lights
Most of the time, it is not good to drive a golf cart India at night time. Most people are not aware that many local laws prohibit the driving of golf carts at night. All the same, it is good to install taillights and headlights on the golf carts. These can prove useful during hours of dusk as well as inclement weather. After all, enhanced visibility never hurt anyone on the road.
Avoid Drivers without Experience
In some places, driving a golf cart does not mandate a driver’s license. But this does not imply that you can give the keys to the cart to a 13-year-old. Golf carts should be driven around only by drivers with experience. They should practice driving beforehand like in the case of driving a car.
Avoid too Much Weight
Golf carts, especially 2-seaters have very low carrying capacity. If you add too much weight, you are likely to face many issues. For example, the cart could begin to drag or cease working all on a sudden. While the cart may have room for only 2 persons, do not push 4 persons into the cart.
In sum, low-speed vehicles like golf carts are highly useful, but this is only if they are used in a responsible way. You can take the above precautions to keep the road safe. After all, the last thing you want is an avoidable accident.