[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by 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.

Well, what surprise. Did the mention population when up 20 fold. Did they make comparisons to vehicle crashes also? I bet they when up at higher rate. Seniors don’t bounce well anymore nor do they react or make good decisions. So naturally Put them in there toy racer and accidents has to go up. Also did they study how many golf cart drivers were at fault in those deaths? Probably 80% or more IMO.

[Luggage]

My response to needing seat belts is that why are humans dumber than dummies? And don't use them or buy them? $95 and Priceless as the commercial says

[MandoMan]

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.”

This makes sense for carts used while playing golf where there may be driving at angles down hills and the speed at which the roll happens may actually be quite slow. Collisions with cars are not much of a problem on golf courses, either. I think it is different when carts are being driven at their top speed on flat roads or paths where collisions are more serious and rolls are more likely to occur after sudden sharp turns at speed. For many of us, simply falling out of a parked cart could lead to a serious injury. Being ejected from a moving cart is much worse. Even jumping from a moving cart, if that were possible, would be likely to cause many of us serious injuries. I believe in seatbelts.

[nn0wheremann]

Originally Posted by MartinSE

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.

So how about bicycle helmets too? Seems logical that these would be effective preventing head injuries. Who is willing to be first?

[joelfmi]

That is why the village needs free community travel. Put they don't want to talk about it because it will cost them money.

[NoMo50]

Seat belts help prevent occupants from being thrown from carts when making quick turns, like when avoiding something in their path. They also prevent ejection during collisions that do not involve a rollover. We have a neighbor who was hurt badly when their cart struck a fixed object. The passenger, not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the cart and suffered some serious injuries. In a rollover crash, you're gonna get hurt whether you're wearing a seatbelt or not. But, for us, the seat belts get used 100% of the time, just like in a car.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by joelfmi

That is why the village needs free community travel. Put they don't want to talk about it because it will cost them money.

Free????? As in those who don't use it pay for those that do????? Perhaps they could set up a progressive "free" community travel surcharge based on assets, so "the rich" pay more. Or, maybe "the greedy developer" should pay for it out of pocket. Geez.

[TorriJ]

Double post deleted

[MidWestIA]

If you were aware enough to jump before the crash you would have avoided the crash

[TorriJ]

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.

Out of 136 crashes, 48 percent required hospitalization. Out of that, 15 percent resulted in death or disability.
136 times .48 times .15 = 9

[Joe C.]

The more people partake of an activity, the more incidents will occur. And at the age of most Villagers, even more accidents will happen. There is always risk, whether it's in a golf cart, motorcycle, car, atv, jet ski ..... you get the picture.
Now, these accidents are experienced by the MINORITY of drivers, so there should be NO RESTRICTIONS OR MANDATES that the majority of us should submit to. We don't need more regulation, and no free rides (hear me, progressives?).
All we need to do is PAY ATTENTION, which for some people can be difficult. The price of inattentiveness is an accident.
We just need to do things with better vigilance.

[Notsocrates]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Why are seat belts not required?

Because we are adults and are capable of making good choices, or not.

[Boffin]

If you need a study or a law to wear a seatbelt, you might be a Darwin Award candidate.

[Boffin]

Originally Posted by Notsocrates

Because we are adults and are capable of making good choices, or not.

Interesting concept these days: freedom to choose.

[Papa_lecki]

I’ve witnessed 2 golf carts accidents here. Both were due to one of the drivers NOT knowing where to turn or who had the right of way/stop sign.