With summer in full force and most of the rain (hopefully) behind us, many Houstonians are enjoying their extracurricular time with a few rounds of golf. But before hopping on that golf cart, the Red Duke Trauma Institute at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center would like to shed some light on golf cart safety.
Most people don’t realize that golf carts can pose many of the same risks as other motor vehicles. Here are some statistics to keep in mind when operating a golf cart:
- Turning a golf cart at 11 mph is fast enough to throw a passenger out of the moving cart
- About 40 percent of accidents involving a golf cart involve someone falling out of the vehicle
- Golf cart accidents account for over 10,000 emergency room visits each year in the U.S., according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Along with these statistics, here are some basic safety guidelines to abide by:
- Only carry as many passengers as there are seats and do not allow standing in the vehicle or on the back platform
- Always use hand signals to show an intent to turn
- Reduce speeds due to surrounding conditions such as hill declines, pedestrians and intersections
- Always make sure the parking brake is set while the vehicle is not in motion
- Use extreme caution in inclement weather
- Never operate a golf cart while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Of course these aren’t the only rules to consider when it comes to golf cart safety. To ensure your protection, make sure to follow same rules of the road as you would in your own car.