Kmclane

What is a Golf Cart?

By definition, a 'golf cart' is a small, battery-powered, three- or four-wheel vehicle used for transporting one or two golfers and their equipment around a golf course. This is what they were actually designed for, hence the name. However, golf carts are now used for many other purposes, and because of this, more and more people experience serious injuries from golf cart accidents.

Uses of Golf Carts

“Golf Carts are battery powered four wheeled vehicles frequently used for transportation of players and equipment during golf matches. Their use is mandatory on many courses that cater to retirees. They are also used for transportation in retirement communities and elsewhere.".

Over time, golf carts have become much faster and more powerful; newer models travel at speeds up to 25 mph, and have battery lives that last in excess of 40 miles. As the capability of golf carts increases, so does their potential number of uses. In addition to their traditional role on the golf course, golf carts are now routinely used for transportation purposes at sporting events, hospitals, airports, national parks, college campuses, businesses, prisons, and military bases...in some states, golf carts may be operated legally on public roadways and on some portions of the highway.

Because golf carts are being used more and more frequently for many things on and off the golf course, the number of golf cart accidents is rising rapidly.

Causes of Golf Cart Accidents

Main Causes

There are some main causes of golf cart accidents. According to the Daniel S. Watson et al. in an article entitled “Golf Cart-Related Injuries in the U.S.,” “the primary causes of injury [are]:

1. cart overturn,
2. falling/ jumping from a moving golf cart,
3. collision with another vehicle or stationary object,
4. patient struck/run over by a cart,
5. injury while getting into or out of a cart,
6. injury to a protruding limb, or
7. other/ not documented.”

Passenger Ejection

Out of all of these different ways to have a golf cart accident, “falling or jumping from a golf cart was the most common cause of injury for both adults and children."In an article by Kristopher J. Seluga, it states that “many…of the ‘fall from cart’ type accidents may also involve ejection during a sharp turn.”This is very true, but it doesn’t only have to be from during a sharp turn. “One recent study showed that golf carts moving at speeds as low as 11mph could readily eject a passenger during a turn”

Insufficient Safety Features

A similar study by Seluga et al. suggested that current golf cart safety features are insufficient to prevent passenger falls. For example, rear-facing golf cart seats are associated with high rates of passenger ejection, and most golf carts do not have brakes on all four wheels … the high percentage of injuries due to falls from carts underscores the need for more effective safety features, such as improved passenger restraints.

Operator Error

Another problem with the frequency of golf cart accidents, as stated by Watson is misuse or lack of training on the driver’s part. “Operator error likely also plays a role in golf cart-related injuries. Private golf cart drivers are not required to possess a drivers’ license or to attend safety or operational training; further, there is no legal driving age for golf carts."The inattentiveness of the government in putting rules and regulations on golf cart drivers may play a part in the rising numbers of golf cart accidents.

Braking Problems

One problem with golf cart accidents occurs quite frequently, because of the braking system built into golf carts. Golf carts are typically made with brakes only on the rear axle wheels, thus extremely limiting their braking power.

Rear wheel only brake designs lead to rear tire skidding and reduced yaw stability, creating the potential for a car to easily “fishtail” when the brakes are applied hard. Furthermore, the reduced effectiveness of the breaks on a downhill slope can lead the car driver to falsely perceive a brake failure, causing him to press harder on the brake pedal leading to a locking of the braked wheels and an out of control skid. .

This type of accident quite frequently leads to cart rollovers, and this can also cause some very serious injuries to the people riding inside.

Injuries

The many different types of golf cart accidents, such as cart overturn, collision, falling, or being run over by a golf cart result in many different types of injuries.

Soft Tissue Damage

“The most common type of in jury was soft tissue damage.”These soft tissue damages are usually just bruises, and don’t usually result in emergency room treatment.

Fractures and Lacerations

Fractures were the second most common type of injury, constituting 22.3% of the cases. Fractures to the arms and hands were most common, followed by fractures to the legs and feet. Fractures were associated with a high likelihood of hospitalization compared to other types of injury, as were concussions and internal injuries. Lacerations accounted for 15.5% of injuries. Nearly half of these laceration injuries occurred to the head and neck. The head and neck were the most commonly injured body regions among children. Leg and foot injuries were the most common among adults.

Internal Injuries and Other Types of Injuries

Two other types of injuries associated with golf cart accidents are concussions or internal injuries. These two injuries usually both result in hospitalization. Some other injuries that may result from a golf cart accident are subdural hematoma, spinal cord injury, or acute respiratory comprimise.

Fatalities and Other Adverse Outcomes

Fatalities due to injury, while not frequent, are still very traumatic. In a study of “Major Injuries Occurring During Use of a Golf Cart” by E.G. Kelly, out of 111 cases, almost half had a fractured tibia, while only a few had adverse outcomes. Out of adverse outcomes, 4 died, 2 became paraplegic, and 1 became a quadriplegic. One case in particular discusses this:

An 18-year-old man was ascending a slope when he swerved to avoid a bunker (sand trap), which could not be seen from the grade of the slope. As he fell out of the cart, the cart rolled onto his trunk and he immediately experienced right abdominal pain. When he attempted to stand, he became syncopal. He was taken to a trauma center, where he arrested during surgery secondary to hypovolemia associated with a laceration of the liver involving the hepatic vein. Resuscitation measures failed.

Each of these four fatalities studied involved a cart overturning.

The other three fatalities occurred as the cart rolled over on a slope. One individual succumbed as a result of intra-abdominal hemorrhage, the second died of a pulmonary embolus 48 hours following surgery for bilateral femoral fractures, and the third died of respiratory failure following a complete spinal cord injury.

Death from a golf cart accident is usually pretty traumatic, but is rare, and doesn’t usually happen unless a golf cart rolls over on top of you. This is because “a golf cart, depending on its specifications, may weigh from 600 lbs to 800 lbs”This is enough weight to cause serious injuries to your body, if not death.

Prevention

A golf cart accident is a serious type of injury. Many people get severely hurt from these accidents. However, they are usually caused by people not taking precautions or following the rules for golf carts. Some of these rules seem very simple, but when followed they will help everyone to stay safe.

Safety Tips for Preventing Accidents in a Golf Cart

• Always give the pedestrian the right of way, especially when driving on sidewalks
• Do not carry more passengers than there is seating for
• All passengers need to keep hands, arms, legs, and feet inside of the golf cart when the golf cart is in motion
• Never back up the golf cart without first looking to make sure there are no possible collisions
• Never shift gears while the vehicle is in motion
• Never operate at a speed over 15 mph when there are people around
• Golf cart operators should have a valid drivers license, and follow all traffic rules
• Reduce speed to compensate for inclines, pedestrians, and weather conditions
• Approach sharp or blind corners with caution and reduce speed
• Maintain adequate distance between vehicles and pedestrian
• Use extreme care when entering or exiting buildings or other enclosed areas
• Do not park on any area that has pavers
• Park on areas posted as golf cart parking
• Never leave the keys in the golf cart when unattended
• When the golf cart is not in use, the operator must place the golf cart control lever in park or neutral position, remove and secure the key, and set the parking break
• Don’t drive during inclement weather
• Don’t drive while intoxicated
• Follow all safety rules

Conclusion

Golf carts are a useful tool that helps people get from one point to another. However, if used incorrectly, the passengers may fall out of the cart, roll their cart, get run over by a cart, or even struck by a cart. These can result in many types of injuries, and sometimes death. It is important to remember and to follow all the rules for golf cart safety, and this will prevent most (if not all) golf cart accidents.

References

• Gerson, L.W., et al.“Recreational Injuries Among Older Americans, 2001." Injury Prevention. 10(2004): 134-138.
• Kelly, E.G. “Major Injuries Occuring During Use of a Golf Cart.” South Hills Orthopaedic Surgery Associates. Pittsburgh, 1996. 519-21.
• Seluga, Kristopher J., et al. “Low Speed Vehicle Passenger Ejection Restraint Effectiveness.” Accident and Analysis Prevention. Stamford, 2005. 801-6.
• Seluga, K.J., et al.“Braking Hazards of Golf Cars and Low Speed Vehicles." Accident Analysis and Prevention. Stamford, 2006. 1151-1156.
• Watson, Daniel S. et al. “Golf Cart-Related Injuries in the U.S.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 35 (2008): 55-9.