Why Aren’t Golf Carts Safe on the Streets?

Golf carts usage on main roads is becoming increasingly common in Florida, especially in retirement communities. However, golf carts aren’t nearly as safe as cars and driving them on streets open to other vehicles can be dangerous. Here’s what you need to know about golf cart safety on main roads and what to do if you or a loved one were hurt in a golf cart accident.

They Offer Much Less Protection Than Street-Legal Vehicles

Golf carts aren’t made to withstand much impact. They have an open cab design, which directly exposes passengers to the external force of an accident. They’re top heavy, making them much more susceptive to rollover if an accident does occur.

They Handle Much Differently Than Vehicles on Roads

Golf carts simply don’t handle the same way on roads as motor vehicles do. They turn differently, speed up and slow down differently, and come to a stop differently. It’s harder to estimate how a golf cart will respond to traffic and roadways that weren’t designed for it and often, it’s not as well as one might expect.

They Lack Basic Safety Features

Golf carts have significantly fewer safety features than street-legal vehicles. For example, the seat belts on a golf cart are often only lap belts, whereas cars and trucks feature auto-locking shoulder and lap belts. These do significantly more to protect passengers from being ejected or thrown forward in a collision.

Golf carts also generally do not have air bags, anti-lock brake systems, or other features that make traditional vehicles safer when traveling.

The Risk of Injury Is High

Because golf carts offer less protection and fewer safety features than cars or other motor vehicles, this means that the risk of injury is often higher than one would expect for a vehicle with a maximum speed of 15-20 mph. Because cars and trucks travel faster than golf carts, injury rates are greater for vehicles on major roadways than golf carts. However, when compared to how safe golf carts are perceived to be, the data is often surprising.

Were You Injured in a Golf Cart Accident? We Can Help

If you or someone you love was hurt in a golf cart accident, it’s important to reach out for legal help as soon as possible. Contact Florida golf cart accident attorney Frank D. Butler today for a consultation to discuss the details of the accident and what you should do next. Call now at 800-253-2531.