A golf cart collision can occur at any time, and it is essential to know the safety protocols when on the golf course. Despite being a relatively safe mode of transportation in gated communities, golf carts can still pose serious risks to both adult and child passengers. A study conducted by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) revealed that more than 150,000 golf cart-related injuries occurred from 2007 to 2017, with a slight improvement in subsequent years.
Ways to Prevent a Golf Cart Collision
However, there is good news – ways to prevent golf cart accidents exist. In this article, we’ll share seven practical tips to avoid golf cart collisions and ensure the safety of your clients while they’re out in the open.
Don’t Drink and Drive
It’s common to have a few alcoholic drinks while playing golf or enjoying a leisurely afternoon driving around the city. However, if you make a pit stop for a drink, it’s best to avoid operating your cart. Drunk driving can lead to an arrest or other long-lasting consequences for all parties involved.
Yield Pedestrians
It’s essential to prioritize the safety of pedestrians when driving a golf cart. Even if someone is moving slowly on a trail or cart path on the course, always remain patient and give them the right of way.
Striking a pedestrian with your golf cart can lead to criminal or civil liability, so be cautious and look for people to avoid any potential mishaps.
Limit Passengers
Golf carts should have a specific weight limit considering the vehicle’s size, shape, and power. When you exceed the number of passengers a golf cart should carry, you increase the vehicle’s overall weight, impacting the cart’s handling and stability.
Overloading a golf cart can also put unnecessary strain on the cart’s mechanical components, such as the motor, suspension, and brakes, leading to premature wear and tear and eventual breakdown.
Alert Others
Due to their small size and quiet motors, golf carts have a higher risk of colliding with other objects. So it’s recommended to use a horn or other noise-making device when crossing an intersection or reversing to alert those nearby and avoid accidents.
Obey Traffic Laws
If you operate a golf cart on a city street, you are essentially driving a vehicle and, thus, subject to the same traffic laws as those applied to typical passenger cars. It is imperative to always abide by these laws, which entail refraining from reckless driving, tailgating, speeding, and more.
Inspect the Cart Before Use
When renting a golf cart, it is crucial to conduct a thorough inspection of the vehicle, with particular attention to the condition of the tires, ensuring that the cart has sufficient fuel or charge and properly functional safety features, such as seat belts.
About T2 Green Insurance
T2Green Insurance provides comprehensive insurance that is customized to your club, resort, or golf management company, from industry professionals whose sole focus is insuring this class. We are dedicated to providing you with innovative products, underwriting expertise, and exceptional results so that your insurance needs are covered with confidence. Reach us at 844-223-9005 with any questions or so we can begin tailoring a package that works best for your club.
