Golf carts are an increasingly popular way to get from Point A to Point B, especially in the Sunshine State. But the rise of this mode of transportation also comes with an increased risk of an accident. That is the message that local law enforcement officials are trying to send in St. John’s County.
Four recent golf cart crashes have the St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office stressing basic safety precautions, the St. Augustine Record recently reported. Cops say they have seen an uptick in reports of reckless and unsafe driving, as well as young kids getting behind the wheel, according to the report.
The renewed attention to golf cart safety in St. John’s comes after a 14-year-old boy recently suffered a brain injury in a crash. The teen was briefly placed in a medically-induced coma after being thrown from the cart in a mishap.
A teenage girl in January suffered similar injuries when she fell from a golf cart and hit her head on the driveway of her family’s home. The teen driver of the vehicle was reportedly swerving recklessly at the time of the accident.
Golf Cart Safety 101
St. John’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies are trying to educate local community members about the risks associated with getting in a golf cart and the basic steps people to protect themselves and others on the road. That includes sticking to speed limits and taking carts only on approved roadways.
There are a number of other things that drivers can do cut down on the risk of a golf cart accident. That includes some of the same precautions that should come with getting behind the wheel of a car, like obeying traffic signs, avoiding distractions and putting the keys down if you have been drinking. Because golf carts are smaller, difficult to spot and easier to tip over than cars, drivers should also use hand signals when turning and avoid sharp turns at high speeds.
It’s also important to ensure that your golf cart is equipped with functioning seatbelts. These vital safety mechanisms play a key role in preventing people from being thrown from a cart in the event of an accident.
Consult an Experienced Villages Golf Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart crash, you have the right to seek compensation from those responsible. That includes money for medical bills, property damage, missed wages due to time away from work and other financial consequences of the collision.
Our Villages golf accident lawyer has been representing people injured in crashes for more than two decades. He has a long track record of getting the best possible results for the people that he represents. Call (352) 205-7599 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
