Keeping Kids Safe On Golf Cart Rides
Taking your children on a golf cart ride is an exciting adventure, but it is also one that comes with safety risks. Sure, it's not a high-powered vehicle going up a treacherous mountain. But there are still accidents that can happen with a golf cart - and a third of golf cart related injuries happen to children under the age of 16.
Fortunately, you can take steps to reduce the risks and keep your kids safe. We've gathered up the following tips for safe golf cart riding with children. For more safety tips or to shop golf carts for sale in Texas, head over to Richmond Equipment. Our dealership is based in Richmond, Texas, and we also serve those in Houston and Rosenberg.
Add Safety Accessories To Your Golf Cart
The first step is modifying your golf cart to boost its safety. For example, if your model currently lacks seat belts, get those installed as soon as possible. Seat belts help prevent passengers from falling out, which is more common among younger children. They also help reduce the impact of injuries due to a collision.
Another common safety upgrade is improving the golf cart's lighting. The better you can see obstacles and be seen by others, the less chance you have of ending up in an accident. See if you can upgrade the headlights and brake lights to emit brighter beams. This boost to visibility will result in a boost to safety.
Know The Golf Cart's Weight Limits
Each golf cart has a certain amount of weight that they can carry safely. Exceed this and you can end up damaging the golf cart and increasing the risk of an accident. Check the owner's manual if you don't know the weight limit. Remember that this includes the weight of passengers, not just the weight of cargo.
Be Careful With Speed Modifications
Golf carts leave the factory with a certain speed capacity. Owners can upgrade their vehicles to hit higher speeds. But traveling at faster speeds can reduce stability and balance, thus increasing the chances of an accident.
Whenever you drive kids around in your golf cart, stick with the original factory speed limits. This will ensure better control of your golf cart and provide a safer experience for the passengers.
Lead By Example
It's unfair to tell kids to follow safety rules...then ignore all the rules yourself or allow adult passengers to ignore the rules. Make sure you showcase what safe golf cart riding looks like. Get every passenger to wear their seat belt, keep their limbs inside the vehicle, and so on. Plus, these golf cart safety practices are important for adults, not just for kids.
Practice Before Having Children Passengers
Dedicate plenty of time to getting used to the golf cart before you bring passengers along - and then even more time before you bring children along. Make sure you understand how the golf cart handles, its turning radius, its stopping distance, any quirks, and so on. The better you understand your golf cart, the better you can deliver a safe ride.
Review Safety Rules With The Kids
Before you hit the road, review the safety rules. Remember that younger children may need to hear the rules multiple times before it sticks. Repetition is the key to learning and memorizing, after all.
Check The Passengers' Clothing
Finally, glance at what passengers are wearing. Make sure everyone's clothing is snug and won't catch on anything. They should all wear closed-toed shoes that are free of long, dangling laces. Consider equipping younger children with a bike helmet, which will offer valuable protection in the event of an accident.
Ready to shop golf carts for sale in Texas? Explore the models at Richmond Equipment. If you aren't sure which one to get, our expert staff can give tailored recommendations and walk you through the financing process. We are located in Richmond, Texas. We also proudly serve those in Houston and Rosenberg, Texas.