[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by rivaridger1

I do not have any statistics to back the observation up, but it seems intuitively to me that a good solid bump or high speed swerve is likely to dislodge you from the inside of a golf cart and that seat belts might prevent that. They also seem to be more likely events then turning one over. When thinking about it, I can not think of any fast moving conveyances designed for human occupancy not equipped with seatbelts. Elevators and escalators do not count although in light of the escalator accident the other day maybe they should. For the price, golf cart seatbelts seemed like a good investment to me.

Excellent post.

Analogous to this issue, are those that have anecdotal stories about how... "they (or someone they know) would have died in a car crash if they hadn't been thrown clear."

That line of reasoning was long ago dispelled...for intelligent people anyway.

Seat Belt Myths and Facts - Donlen Corporation

MYTH: It’s better to be thrown clear of the wreckage in the event of a crash.

FACT: An occupant of a vehicle is four times as likely to be fatally injured when thrown from the vehicle.

MSP - Myths and Facts About Seat Belts

MYTH: I'd rather be thrown clear in a crash.

FACT: Being thrown safely clear in a crash is almost impossible. When you're thrown, you may be thrown through the windshield, scraped along the pavement, or even crushed by your own vehicle or another one. The idea of being thrown from a car and gently landing in a grassy area beside the road is pure fantasy. Your best bet in a crash is to stay inside the vehicle, securely held by your seat belt.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

When I am driving along in my golf cart I am in the defensive mood. . . . I assume the car will pull out in front of me, cut me off, and basically ignore me, so I already off the gas and ready to break or swerve to negate getting hit.

I believe you and I have to ask: Is driving like that an enjoyable means of transportation?

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by VApeople

I believe you and I have to ask: Is driving like that an enjoyable means of transportation?

Being able to continue to breathe on your own and enjoy the use of all limbs...is definitely "enjoyable."

Whether in your automobile or a golf cart, being a 'defensive driver'...gives one the best chance to accomplish the above.

[bbbbbb]

Well this is a big topic. A belt cinched up will keep you from being thrown. Double, lap and shoulder straps are a good deal better for sure.
It is sad what is going on now. Today, riding my bike, I get over when I see a cart coming from behind. I motion with the left arm to come on and pass, then I stop pedaling and pullover as far as I can to the very edge of the pavement and at times I even get off on to the grass, but cannot always do that. Just going from Old Mill on the cart path, north, to just beyond Arnold Palmer, ten to twelve carts passed me. As in any day, about 1 or 2 of 10 will pass so close and I mean close about 3 inches to show their ignorance and stupidity. Also so many will pass me on the bike when carts are coming ahead against our direction and then it is really close. No one is monitoring this area on paths. It is sad that such a great place will allow this to take place and it is a real item. Sadly, someone may get killed and it is all so sad and preventable. There is no such thing as an accident, it is all stupidity and being rude and it is all for ME.

[VApeople]

Originally Posted by bbbbbb

It is sad that such a great place will allow this to take place

I agree. The MMPs look like very dangerous places to me.

Maybe after a few people are killed, TV might do something about it. In the meantime, we have to accept things as they are and look out for ourselves.

[EnglishJW]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

I believe in and use seatbelts. All current thinking suggests that seat belts should be installed and used in golf carts!

point #4

Golf Cart Safety Fundamentals - Golf Cart Safety

around 5 min mark ->

Golf Cart Safety - The VHA

We agree and had seat belts installed right after we got our cart.

[karostay]

Not a day goes buy without encountering stupid either driving a golf cart , car or a bike

Driving aware of your surroundings is paramount

[UpNorth]

Seat belts are important, especially for the passenger, who doesn't have a steering wheel to hang on to. One unexpected emergency move and they are thrown from the cart, accident or not. What would be a good idea would be to design a roll bar in the frame enclosure. You would remain in the cart, but not get crushed by it.

There are plenty of carts out there that exceed the 20mph limit. I get passed by them all the time. Haven't seen the cops out with their radar guns in a long time. If they needed to raise some money, all they need to do is spend a few days in The Villages. At $250 a pop, they could make a killing.

[Taltarzac725]

Golf Cart or Low Speed Vehicle? – Didier Law Firm

I found this interesting and would guess that lawsuits in the Villages concerning golf carts might change things. Which has happened in a variety of other topics in the Villages over the years. Or just the threat of lawsuits. The buffalo at Lake Sumter and the Learning College come to mind.

[charmed59]

Originally Posted by bbbbbb

Well this is a big topic. A belt cinched up will keep you from being thrown. Double, lap and shoulder straps are a good deal better for sure.

Then if you are worried about a roll over and hitting your head, just add a helmet. Racing leathers would take care of possible road rash.

In general, I find the vast majority of folks I run across on the MMPs are sharing them safely. I find golf carts a fun, if not particular efficient method of transportation. If I wanted to be truly safe I've seen small cars on the cart paths with solid sides, windows and roofs that probably would be very safe in any collision. On the other hand, I asked an owner if those tend to be hot to drive, and she said yes. So you'd really need to add air conditioning. At that point you might as well be in a car.

A car, with all it's safety features, driven at the 20mph on the side streets (Canal, O'Dell Circle, etc) is probably safer than the MMP for those who are worried about safety on the MMPs. There is very few, if any, places in The Villages that you can't reach by car. There is no reason one needs to drive a golf cart in fear.

I'm willing to risk the MMPs with in regular carts without seat belts. It's such an adventure!

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

If you have taken the AARP safety course, the instructor said most people over 60 will not survive an injury that a 30 year old would--we go into shock muck quicker

Originally Posted by Rapscallion St Croix

It balances out because we are experienced and far less likely to smash beer cans on our face, drink alcohol through a funnel and hose, or eat a cup of cinnamon.

[JoelJohnson]

We use our seat belts everyday. Once I saw a heavy set women with a small child on her lap with a seat belt across both of them. As I saw that, all I could think was that if the cart stopped suddenly the child would stop, but the heavy set women would not.

[cmj1210]

Originally Posted by JoelJohnson

We use our seat belts everyday. Once I saw a heavy set women with a small child on her lap with a seat belt across both of them. As I saw that, all I could think was that if the cart stopped suddenly the child would stop, but the heavy set women would not.

I saw a man today with a small child on his lap as he was driving. No seatbelt. No common sense.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Mleeja]

Originally Posted by Rango

Most injuries are from being ejected from carts. Not many tip over. If it tips over nothing will save you, unless you have side air bags,

Or you land on your spouse!

[2BNTV]

I remember a police officer giving a safety training class saying, (I have never unbuckled a dead person).

I can't really say definitely if it applies to golf carts but I would tend to think so. I wear seat belts as I want to die of old age.