Friday, March 23, 2001
Friday, March 23, 2001 |
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Helmets, caution better for golf cart safety than seatbelts, chief explains By JOHN
MUNFORD
Requiring seatbelts on golf carts could be more hazardous that having no restraints at all, according to Peachtree City Fire Chief Stony Lohr. Seatbelts on golf carts have been listed as hindering golf cart passengers from escaping the vehicles when they slip into bodies of water on several occasions nationwide, Lohr said. "In California, they had passed a law requiring seatbelts on carts, but they had to suspend that because of safety and liability issues," Lohr said. A good way to protect young passengers is to have them wear helmets, the chief said. About two months ago, one local child suffered a head injury when she fell off a golf cart and her head struck the pavement. The child, who had been strapped in a seatbelt, was released from the hospital after an overnight stay. Four of the five golf cart fatalities reported nationwide in 1997 involved situations where the cart actually rolled over, Lohr said. Carts that go faster than 20 miles per hour are required to have seatbelts, but those used in Peachtree City aren't designed to exceed that speed, Lohr told the City Council at its meeting last week. But golf cart manufacturers even recommend against using car seats for infants and young children riding on carts, he added. Many of the golf cart injuries reported in Peachtree City are due to passengers riding on the cart incorrectly, such as standing on the back of the cart or hanging a leg off the vehicle, Lohr said. New councilman Steve Rapson said the one thing that could improve the situation is for common sense to be used when driving or riding on a golf cart. In his research, there was a lack of information on golf cart accidents and fatalities, Lohr said. Councilwoman Annie McMenamin congratulated him on the thoroughness of his study.
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