Another Golf Cart Accident

[downeaster]

A golf cart rounding a curve stopped on its passenger side on a friend's driveway. Driver and passenger refused an ambulance although visibly shaken and scraped. Cart was righted and battery reseated (gas cart) and they drove off. No damage to friend's property although narrowly missed their car. Police not called so there will be no record of this accident. (Had I been present I would have called police regardless of their objections.) Driver admitted speed was a factor.

One wonders how many unreported golf cart accidents occur.

[Barefoot]

A golf cart rounding a curve stopped on its passenger side on a friend's driveway. Driver and passenger refused an ambulance although visibly shaken and scraped. Cart was righted and battery reseated (gas cart) and they drove off. No damage to friend's property although narrowly missed their car. Police not called so there will be no record of this accident. (Had I been present I would have called police regardless of their objections.) Driver admitted speed was a factor.

One wonders how many unreported golf cart accidents occur.

Judging from the number of people that pass me when I'm doing 19, and disappear in the distance, I'd think there are a lot of golf cart accidents. Not to mention the young kids I've seen careening around, and having a great time. Not to mention the number of carts I've seen illegally crossing Country Roads.

But we've been down this road before, complaining about golf cart drivers! I'm not sure what a reasonable solution would be. :shrug:

[bluedog103]

Judging from the number of people that pass me when I'm doing 19, and disappear in the distance, I'd think there are a lot of golf cart accidents. Not to mention the young kids I've seen careening around, and having a great time. Not to mention the number of carts I've seen illegally crossing Country Roads.

But we've been down this road before, complaining about golf cart drivers! I'm not sure what a reasonable solution would be. :shrug:
:agree:

[robertj1954]

As a retired law enforcement official I can tell you this much about driving a motor vehicle. There are those who use good judegment and common sense. Those that fail to use good judgement and common sense become statistics. If one thinks they cannot be seriously hurt in a golf cart they are fooling themselves.

[red tail]

A golf cart rounding a curve stopped on its passenger side on a friend's driveway. Driver and passenger refused an ambulance although visibly shaken and scraped. Cart was righted and battery reseated (gas cart) and they drove off. No damage to friend's property although narrowly missed their car. Police not called so there will be no record of this accident. (Had I been present I would have called police regardless of their objections.) Driver admitted speed was a factor.

One wonders how many unreported golf cart accidents occur.

sounds like these people had enough bad luck for one day. why would you call the police on them?

[nitakk]

I have seen way too many golf carts recently stopped on the cart path instead of pulling over in the grass. They stop to take pictures, chat on their cell phones or gawk at an alligator. And I guess I'm supposed to stop and find a way around them with oncoming traffic. Accidents waiting to happen...

[GeorgeT]

sounds like these people had enough bad luck for one day. Why would you call the police on them?

ditto.

[memason]

Even if the police were called, what would they do? Issue a citation? Provide assistance? Create a police report (documentation) ??

Just curious .... :shrug:

[Dirigo]

I was in a golf cart that was tipped over onto the driver's side once (I was the passenger). No one was hurt. THe cart wasn't hurt. And I still ride with the driver on occaision and he is a more conservative driver now (at least when I'm with him).

I bet the driver of the cart that is the subject of this thread will be more cautious in the future now he knows the cornering limits of his cart.

Thank goodness no one was injured in this incident.

[Talk Host]

A friend of mine was in a very minor traffic accident. Nobody appeared to be injured, so police were not called. About six months later, my friend was sued for nearly a half million dollars and lost. His wages were attached for years.

His lawyer told him that if he had made a police report, chances are the suit would not have been successful.

My poor friend had to get a second job at a tire shop in order to make ends meet for his family. One day, the guy who sued him came into the tire shop and saw him working there. He went back to court and got part of that wage too. :sad:

[Tbugs]

Sounds as though your friend did not have insurance - or enough insurance - to cover his lawsuit. Hopefully, all golf carters will take the minor expense of buying golf cart insurance. If not, you very well can have your butt sued off just like this person's friend.

[Talk Host]

Sounds as though your friend did not have insurance - or enough insurance - to cover his lawsuit. Hopefully, all golf carters will take the minor expense of buying golf cart insurance. If not, you very well can have your butt sued off just like this person's friend.


The accident was so minor that he didn't submit an insurance claim. Therefore his company didn't help him. They wanted to see a police report too.

[ajakk]

Judging from the number of people that pass me when I'm doing 19, and disappear in the distance, I'd think there are a lot of golf cart accidents. Not to mention the young kids I've seen careening around, and having a great time. Not to mention the number of carts I've seen illegally crossing Country Roads.

But we've been down this road before, complaining about golf cart drivers! I'm not sure what a reasonable solution would be. :shrug:

I am far more concerned with the unsafe practices I see while using my golf cart than being passed by one. I see adults with babies and small children on their laps and nobody is wearing seat belts. You can't go anywhere without seeing drivers talking or texting on their cell phones. If this isn't safe in a vehicle why is it safe in a golf cart? People park anywhere without regard for the traffic hazard they create. I also see a lot of pets riding unrestrained in carts. Yet time and time again the complaint is "I got passed".

[bluedog103]

I am far more concerned with the unsafe practices I see while using my golf cart than being passed by one. I see adults with babies and small children on their laps and nobody is wearing seat belts. You can't go anywhere without seeing drivers talking or texting on their cell phones. If this isn't safe in a vehicle why is it safe in a golf cart? People park anywhere without regard for the traffic hazard they create. I also see a lot of pets riding unrestrained in carts. Yet time and time again the complaint is "I got passed".

I'm pretty sure Bare was using the disregard of the speed limit an example of the knuckleheads driving golf carts. Speed was simply one of the examples she mentioned.

[downeaster]

sounds like these people had enough bad luck for one day. why would you call the police on them?

Based on the witnesses it seemed to me the driver and occupant were in no physical or mental condition to drive. It is also doubtful if the cart were in a safe condition to drive. Someone with more professional experience should have been making the decision.

Having a bad day does not negate the need for police intervention. Laws were broken, people were hurt and property was damaged. One would not be calling "the police on them" but calling the police to report an accident with injuries and property damage.

[Bogie Shooter]

Interesting article on this very subject...to call or not to call.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/law/os-law-and-you-crashes-20110425,0,3695347.story

[dillywho]

Isn't 911 for life-and-death emergencies only and not for routine reporting? The article talks about calling 911 even if there are no injuries, etc. Why couldn't you just call the police dispatcher directly and leave 911 for the serious stuff? There would still be a police record of the incident.

[red tail]

Based on the witnesses it seemed to me the driver and occupant were in no physical or mental condition to drive. It is also doubtful if the cart were in a safe condition to drive. Someone with more professional experience should have been making the decision.

Having a bad day does not negate the need for police intervention. Laws were broken, people were hurt and property was damaged. One would not be calling "the police on them" but calling the police to report an accident with injuries and property damage.

you seem to be doing a lot of editorializing. mental conditions,narrowly missing the car, golf cart in no condition to be driven etc etc. sounds like you make mountains out of mole hills.:duck:

[zcaveman]

Isn't 911 for life-and-death emergencies only and not for routine reporting? The article talks about calling 911 even if there are no injuries, etc. Why couldn't you just call the police dispatcher directly and leave 911 for the serious stuff? There would still be a police record of the incident.

There is also a 911 for non life and death problems like flag stealing, etc. I you call the number you can leave a report and an officer will call you back and take your complaint. If necessary, they will come out to your house an take a formal complaint.

The number is 1-352-732-9111

I called them when my Halloween flag was stolen off of my house just so they would be aware in case someone else called in the same type of thievery in our area.

[paulandjean]

If I was there, I would not have called police.. The man said,he did not need police, or fire rescue. Seems like a lot of nothing. Sometimes,just leave it alone.