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Keeping Kids Safe On Golf Carts

Sep. 1 2023 Safety By Richmond Equipment

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Taking your kids on golf cart rides can be a great way to entertain and thrill them, but it also comes with a few safety concerns. Golf carts aren’t famous for their speed and for pulling off daring stunts, but they can still get into accidents. A whole third of golf cart-related injuries happen to children under the age of 16, in fact. Read on for essential golf cart child safety tips!

Safety Upgrades

Step one is to make a few safety-related upgrades to your golf cart. For example, many models lack seat belts entirely. If yours is one of these, we recommend installing some with an aftermarket upgrade kit. Seat belts are vital for keeping people in their seat during a drive, which is particularly difficult for children both because they’re less coordinated and because they get antsy. Seat belts can also help reduce the impact of a collision, preventing passengers from flying or falling out. 

Know Your Machine And Its Limits

Golf carts aren’t the most flexible of all machines, and they have limits when it comes to what they can do. Part of that is related to weight capacity. Golf carts can only carry a certain amount of weight, though that amount is different depending on the cart. Check your owner’s manual to see your model’s weight capacity. Never exceed this, as it can interfere with normal performance, damage the cart, and even endanger the passengers. Also remember that the weight capacity includes both passengers and cargo weight.

Practice Driving First

Part of knowing your cart is taking the time to drive a lot so you learn all its limits and capabilities firsthand. You can see the stats, but knowing what it feels like to turn safely is another thing entirely. Make sure to dedicate some time to learning how to handle your cart before bringing any passengers along, and even more time before bringing children. Learn its acceleration, stopping distance, turn radius, and any quirks. 

Are you looking for a family-friendly golf cart? The experts at Richmond Equipment can help you find the best golf car for your lifestyle. We are located in Richmond, Texas, and we also serve those in Houston and Rosenberg.