Staying Safe: 9 Golf Cart Safety Tips by Leesa Gibson

Golf carts sure do come in handy on the golf course, but they can be used in many more scenarios aside from the fairways. Property managers, groundskeepers, maintenance workers, and other professional positions that require getting around a large property make for ideal scenarios for the use of golf carts. They save you plenty of time, and allow you to transport goods that otherwise would be difficult and cumbersome to move around.

But how golf carts are used makes all the difference in how safe you and your passengers are. Not only do you need to understand how to turn the vehicle on and off, and how to make sure the cart moves from a forward motion to a reverse motion; you also need to understand how to maintain and maneuver the cart to stay safe when operating the vehicle. Accidents involving golf carts are more common than you might think.

Perhaps when you think of golf cart accidents, you may assume that they are few and far between; a freak accident here and there. But the truth is, they’re more common than that. On average, about 15,000 injuries involving a golf cart occur each year in the US.

That’s a lot of injuries that could be prevented if the golf cart had been properly maintained and operated at the time of use.

Staying Safe When Operating a Golf Cart

If you use a golf cart on a regular basis, or are planning to in the near future, consider keeping the following tips in mind to make sure you and your passengers are safe at all times.

Slow Down When Making Turns

Turning corners with a golf cart isn’t like rounding the bend with a sports car. Instead, with golf carts, slowing down are absolutely imperative. In fact, you can topple the golf cart over by going as slow as 11 mph! So make sure you slow down well ahead of time before you approach a corner to prevent this from happening.

Wear Your Seat Belt

Whether you’re the driver or a passenger in a golf cart, seatbelts are a must. Any quick turn or bump can send you going in a direction you may not have intended. And considering the fact that there are no side doors to keep you from falling out the sides, it just makes sense to buckle up. After all, it only takes a second.

Keep the Cart Properly Cared For

Having a golf cart is just like having a car. It needs to be maintained and cared for. If at any point repairs are needed, do them right away. Get in touch with a reputable golf cart dealer that can provide you with the parts needed to get your cart back up to par.

Honk Your Horn at Intersections

If you happen to be crossing in areas where other vehicles will be traveling perpendicular to your path, you might want to use the horn that comes equipped in golf carts to alert any on-comers of your approach. Honking your horn in certain scenarios can really be lifesaving.

Use Due Diligence

Whenever you’re on a roller coaster or a bus, you probably heard the same instructions and warnings every time: "Keep arms and legs inside the cart at all times." This instruction may sound cliché, but it really is an important one to follow. If you’re going to be riding around in golf cart, make sure to keep your limbs inside in order to avoid serious injury. And while you’re at it, make sure you stay seated, and never let anyone else in the cart stand up at any time while the cart is in motion.

Don’t Over-Pack the Cart

Only carry people that you have enough seating area to accommodate. Never try to fit in extra passengers.

Don’t Leave the Keys in the Cart Unattended

This is especially true if there are kids in the cart. All it takes is a couple of seconds for anyone within the cart to take the parking brake off and set the cart in motion.

Don’t Drink and Drive

Operating a golf cart is like operating a regular vehicle that you’d take out on the road. As such, it’s imperative that you don’t drink while driving a golf cart. Being inebriated clouds your judgment and takes your control away over your actions. Cracking a cold one while driving a cart is a bad idea. Keep in mind that golf carts are essentially subject to the same traffic laws as your average vehicle.

About the Author: Leesa Gibson is a property manager who often uses golf carts as a means to get around expansive properties. She’s often used the parts and services of Blockbuster Golf Cars Inc., and has had nothing but excellent experiences each and every time.

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