5 Most Dangerous and Common Golf Car Driving Mistakes

If you live in a community where driving golf cars is common, you have likely heard about or even experienced a serious golf car accident. It may be surprising to know that police respond to an average of 136 golf car crashes per year in the US. Of those accidents, 48% result in hospitalization or death. Sadly, children are oftentimes seriously injured in these golf car accidents. There are five common mistakes that golf car drivers make that result in an accident.

Carelessness

Since golf cars are typically low-speed vehicles, drivers tend to be more careless than they would be in a traditional vehicle. Golf car owners tend to believe that they won’t get hurt in their golf car and they cruise around without care. Golf car drivers may drive over sidewalks and between shrubs without realizing that golf cars can easily tip over on unstable ground.

Underestimate Speed

Most golf cars don’t travel faster than 20MPH; however, that is not a slow speed. Since golf cars typically do not have doors or safety restraints, the chances of falling out of them is higher than in a traditional vehicle. Falling from any vehicle traveling at 20MPH can cause serious injury or death.

Overload Passengers

Even golf cars with a rear seat should only carry a maximum of four passengers. And yet, we often see golf cars with four adults and multiple children piled on as well. Any passenger who does not have a designated seat is more likely to fall off the golf car- all it takes is one bump or pothole. Children who are standing, even if they are holding onto a rail, are at risk and have been placed in a dangerous situation.

Underage Drivers

Most states stipulate that only licensed drivers may operate golf cars, however, this law is difficult to enforce within gated communities and campgrounds. Teens who do not yet have a driver’s license may not be prepared to operate a golf car. Assuming that golf carts aren’t dangerous for children to drive is a dangerous mistake.

Many communities have begun to restrict golf car usage because of the increase in accidents. Law enforcement across the country have begun to raise awareness and enforce laws in hopes of preventing golf car accidents. Hopefully golf car drivers will consider these five serious mistakes and help to make the golf car community safer in the future.