[Boffin]

The study by the Taylor & Francis Group compiled information about golf cart crashes in The Villages between 2011 and 2019. During the observation period, a total of 875 golf cart-related accidents occurred, representing an average of 136 crashes, 65 hospitalizations and nine dead or disabled annually. Of all crashes, 48 percent resulted in hospitalization, severe trauma or death. Of these, ejection occurred in 27 percent, hospitalization in 55 percent and death or disability in 15 percent of crashes.

“Virtually all death and disability occurred within the setting of golf carts used on streets or road pathways. Death and disability particularly due to ejection during golf cart crashes, occur at an alarming rate when golf carts are used for local transportation,” the study’s authors wrote.

[Stu from NYC]

Why are seat belts not required?

[Boffin]

The National Golf Car Manufacturers Association has stated that, “seat belts are more of a safety detriment to the occupant than beneficial.” It is the association’s position that a golf cart without seat belts affords the ability to “jump from a moving cart during a rollover event.”

[retiredguy123]

Very confusing and conflicting numbers. 136 crashes per year times 15 percent equals 20 deaths or disabilities per year. Yet, the previous sentence says there were only 9 deaths or disabilities per year from crashes. Which is it? And why combine deaths and disabilities into the same statistic? Death is death, but there is a huge range of subjective definitions for disabilities.

But, I don't own a golf cart because I think it is too dangerous to travel on the same roads as cars and trucks.

[Bill14564]

What is the thought? This appears to be just an excerpt of a report with no thought included.

[MartinSE]

Originally Posted by Boffin

The National Golf Car Manufacturers Association has stated that, “seat belts are more of a safety detriment to the occupant than beneficial.” It is the association’s position that a golf cart without seat belts affords the ability to “jump from a moving cart during a rollover event.”

That is almost word for word one of the arguments against seatbelts in cars. Turns out it was wrong there too.

Maybe roll cages and seatbelts would be a good idea, thankfully not too many innocent bystanders are killed by golf cart drivers flying out and hitting them.

So, not wearing seatbelts is kind of Darwin in real time.

[Boffin]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

What is the thought? This appears to be just an excerpt of a report with no thought included.

Okay, then it is a thoughtless excerpt or perhaps an excerpt to think about.

[mikreb]

Originally Posted by Boffin

The National Golf Car Manufacturers Association.... without seat belts affords the ability to “jump from a moving cart during a rollover event.”

Yeah! Because at our age we are agile enough to MacGyver our way out of a golf cart. It's all I can do to get in and out while it's not moving.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Very confusing and conflicting numbers. 136 crashes per year times 15 percent equals 20 deaths or disabilities per year. Yet, the previous sentence says there were only 9 deaths or disabilities per year from crashes. Which is it? And why combine deaths and disabilities into the same statistic? Death is death, but there is a huge range of subjective definitions for disabilities.

But, I don't own a golf cart because I think it is too dangerous to travel on the same roads as cars and trucks.

In the 8 years, there were 9 deaths, about 1 per year.

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by mikreb

Yeah! Because at our age we are agile enough to MacGyver our way out of a golf cart. It's all I can do to get in and out while it's not moving.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

In the 8 years, there were 9 deaths, about 1 per year.

I think that was 9 per year but the numbers are still odd.

If there were 875 total crashes over the period for an average of 136 per year then the period must be 6.5 years (875/136=6.4). I don't understand how "between 2011 and 2019" works out to be 6.5 years.

With 6.5 years you can get: 875 total * 48% result in hospital or death * 15% of those are death / 6.5 yrs = 9.7 deaths/year which is close to what was stated.

[bagboy]

I think the Taylor and Francis Group have an extremely faulty study. If someone really wanted accurate statistics, the counties and local towns, And the Florida Highway Patrol would each have their share. I've known of 9 or 10 deaths in the past 12-15 years in total , not yearly.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by bagboy

I think the Taylor and Francis Group have an extremely faulty study. If someone really wanted accurate statistics, the counties and local towns, And the Florida Highway Patrol would each have their share. I've known of 9 or 10 deaths in the past 12-15 years in total , not yearly.

Good point. We've been here two years and while I think there was an article or two about a death from a golf cart accident, there certainly have not been 18.

UPDATE: From the study, death or disability means death, obviously, and "Neurological injury with brain or spinal cord injury, or sufficiently severe to require transfer to a Level 1 trauma center." While there may not have been 18 deaths, there could have been 18 serious injuries.

[Boffin]

Criticism of the study methodology might be more credible if you actually read the entire study.

Please Wait... | Cloudflare

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Boffin

Criticism of the study methodology might be more credible if you actually read the entire study.

Please Wait... | Cloudflare

I read it, all of it except the appendices, before making my post.