The study by the Taylor & Francis Group compiled information about golf cart crashes in The Villages between 2011 and 2019. During the observation period, a total of 875 golf cart-related accidents occurred, representing an average of 136 crashes, 65 hospitalizations and nine dead or disabled annually.
How many golf carts are there in the villages?
With a 55+ population of retirees, residents of The Villages are proud of their community and active lifestyle. With approximately 52,000 residents, it is estimated that there are in excess of fifty thousand privately owned golf carts in the community, with many households owning two or more.
How common are cart accidents in the villages?
Cart crashes and accidents are almost a daily occurrence according to some residents of The Villages. In an extreme example, an accident resulted in the death of a 51 year old female this past summer. In late July of 2017, a woman died after being thrown from a cart driven by another person.
Are golf cart accidents on the rise in Florida?
It’s therefor not surprising that the number of golf cart crash related accidents and injuries is dramatically rising throughout Florida, as well as the rest of the nation.
What happened to the villages?
The Villages was also in the media spotlight several years ago for another case that centered around a golf cart accident. In that particular case a resident was driving on a public road, was hit by a passing car and crashed his cart into another stopped golf cart driven by another Village resident. The accident resulted in serious injuries.
How many golf cart accidents occur annually?
A total of 63,503 golf cart related injuries occurred during 2010-2019. During this time frame, the number of injuries per year has steadily increased from 5,490 in 2010 to 6,500+ in the past 3 years (2017, 2018, 2019).
How many deaths are caused by golf carts?
Crash totals Over the 8-year observation period, 1084 GC occupants were involved in 875 GC-related crashes. Annually, 136 GC crashes occurred on average, resulting in 65 hospitalizations and death or disability of 9 persons. Of these crashes, 48% resulted in hospitalization, disability, or death per year ( Table 2 ).
How many golf carts died in the villages?
The Villages has recorded one death and several serious injuries in golf cart crashes this year. There are nearly 15,000 golf cart-related accidents that require emergency room visits each year in the United States, and The Villages has already recorded more than its share of golf cart crashes six months into 2021.
How many golf carts are in the villages?
Just how many golf carts are there in The Villages? While no official numbers are maintained, most people “in the know” agree that there are more than 60,000 golf carts putting around The Villages. Even non-golfers find it more convenient to hop in their golf cart to get around The Villages than in their cars.
Has anyone been killed by a golf cart?
Here are just a few of the types of golf cart accidents that have taken place in recent years: An 11-year old South Carolina boy died when the golf cart he was driving ran off the road, flipped and the golf cart's canopy support landed on his neck, causing fatal traumatic asphyxiation.
Are golf carts safe?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports over 130 work-related incidents resulting in citations, injuries, and death associated with golf cart use. The increased power and lack of safety regulations on golf carts are likely adding to rising rates of accidents.
When did the villages start?
In 1982 Mr. Schwartz invested in Orange Blossom Gardens on U.S. Highway 27/441 in the middle of cow pastures and former orange groves. He and Morse changed the name to The Villages and began the area's tremendous growth.
When were golf carts first used?
The golf cart has a rich history that few know. The first motorized cart was available for public use in the 1950's, but was invented in 1935. The man credited with putting the first cart together is Lyman Beecher of Clearwater, Florida.
What is the best village in The Villages Florida?
Village of Tierra Del Sol® Complete with the Tierra Del Sol Recreation Center, the Tierra Del Sol Studio, and more, it's one of the most sought-after communities.
What is the golf cart speed limit in The Villages?
A traditional golf cart set up for use in The Villages is typically equipped with high speed gears/motor plus convenience, golf, and appearance options. It is limited to speeds of less than 20 mph. These carts are able to travel throughout The Villages on residential streets with posted speeds of 30 mph or less.
Do golf carts have the right of way in The Villages?
Golf carts should always yield to other vehicular traffic in all cases. Golf carts and LSV's are not permitted to travel on sidewalks.
How many golf cart accidents are caused by small children?
Even more unsettling than the above statistic is that small children and teenagers account for almost one-third of all golf cart-related injuries and accidents (31.2%, as reported by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine).
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in Florida?
Leisurely, economical and easy to use, these carts can be driven by anyone over age 14 in the state of Florida, and do not require seatbelts be worn ...
What to do if you get in a golf cart accident?
In the event of a golf cart accident, it can be incredibly helpful to contact a golf cart accident attorney, who can help represent your case in court and improve your chances of getting the compensation you need to fully recover from an accident. 4.)
Is a golf cart considered a motor vehicle in Florida?
This is largely due to the lack of golf cart seat belt regulation in the state of Florida. As golf carts are not fully considered motor vehicles, but rather equipment used for sport, they are exempt from seat belt requirements as determined by the American National Standards Institute.
Can you use a golf cart outside the golf course?
This is especially true in the Villages, Spring Hill and Brooksville areas, where golf cart use outside the golf course is not only common, but even encouraged and preferred in some places. This puts drivers at increased risk for golf cart accident injuries, and the frustrations and pain that they bring. To make things easier after an accident ...
How many golf cart accidents are there in the US?
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are in excess of 17,000 golf cart crashes and accidents annually that require a visit to the hospital or emergency room in the US. Surprisingly, in over forty percent of the crashes and accidents the injured person was a minor or child under sixteen years of age.
How old do you have to be to drive a golf cart in Florida?
Laws vary from state to state and sometimes from region to region. As an example, Florida law currently allows any person over the age of fourteen the privilege to drive a golf cart without having to pass a test or have a valid driver’s license. In some areas driving a cart is restricted on public thoroughfares to those approved by ...
What to do if you get injured in a golf cart accident?
You may be entitled to have your medical bills, lost wages and any damages you incurred paid by the owner of the golf cart or your insurance company.
How fast can a golf cart go?
Many point out that today’s generation of carts are also much more powerful than previously seen, with some able to travel as fast as 25+ miles per hour. Another issue is that the majority of golf carts are not subject to any federal governmental regulations.
Where are golf carts in Orlando?
One such community is known as The Villages located about 60 miles northwest of Orlando. It’s therefor not surprising that the number of golf cart crash related accidents and injuries is dramatically rising ...
Why is it dangerous to drive a golf cart off the road?
Taking the cart “off-road” is also dangerous because golf-carts are simply not stable enough or engineered to prevent a rollover, nor can they brake as steadily as a car or truck.
Is there a golf cart accident in Florida?
Golf Cart Accidents. Golf carts are a common site if you live in Florida. Whether being driven on a golf course or utilized as a neighborhood mode of transportation, the number of golf carts in Florida is rising at an astonishing rate. With the most golf courses of any state in the nation (over one thousand courses according to ...
Do golf carts share the roadway?
However, golf carts share the roadway with other golf carts, motor vehicles, and pedestrians in The Villages, and in retirement communities throughout Florida. Frequently, golf carts are the primary mode of transportation for residents.
Is there litigation arising out of a golf cart accident?
Frequently, golf carts are the primary mode of transportation for residents. There is nothing funny about an unprotected occupant being ejected from a golf cart, striking the pavement, and suffering serious injuries simply because a negligent motorist failed to stop or yield.
147,696 Injuries from 1990 to 2006
Children Account For One Third of All Injury Victims
- Even more unsettling than the above statistic is that small children and teenagers account for almost one-third of all golf cart-related injuries and accidents (31.2%, as reported by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine). This harsh reality is due in part to the legal age at which teens can operate golf carts (age 14 in Florida, and even a...
Rollovers Account For 10% of All Accidents
- Complete golf cart rollovers account for a substantial one-tenth of all golf cart accidents; these types of accidents often result in the most serious golf cart injuries, and sometimes even death. This is largely due to the lack of golf cart seat belt regulation in the state of Florida. As golf carts are not fully considered motor vehicles, but rather equipment used for sport, they are exempt fro…
Modern Estimates Average Around 15,000 Injuries Per Year
- In a report by the Consumer Products Safety Commission, it was found that golf cart related injuries occur in around 15,000 cases every year. This is at a greater ratio than determined by the 2007 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System study because these injuries are on the rise, and have been for years as golf cart use for general transportation becomes more and more pop…