Recent incident shows that golf carts can be dangerous

By: 
Press Staff Writer

        Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. On a recent Saturday, a person was injured in an incident in Millbury while riding on an unlicensed, ill-equipped golf cart on a public street. The person was transported to a hospital by EMS. The injured person was thrown from the golf cart, which did not have seat belts, as required by state law.
        Because it was an incident involving what is considered a specific type of motor vehicle, an official crash report had to be completed and filed. Because the golf cart was not a licensed vehicle, it is highly unlikely it was insured.          Over the past four years, I have written several of these columns devoted to the importance of getting golf carts properly equipped, licensed and insured before operating them on public streets.
        It is also noteworthy golf carts are not toys to be operated by children.
        Most people would not even consider getting into a car if it were not properly equipped, licensed, and insured, so why would you take a chance with a golf cart? There are lines of thought by those illegally operating golf carts that they “were only going a short distance,” or “only going to such-and-such place.” It is still illegal to ride a golf cart on a
public street or right-of-way unless it is equipped, licensed, and insured as required by law.
        I will take this opportunity to refresh everyone’s memory of the basics of golf cart requirements.
        Before operating a golf cart on a public street, it must be inspected. The completed inspection sheet must be taken with a title to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to obtain license plates.
        Equipment required includes, but is not limited to, seat belts, a windshield, wipers, headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and a horn – pretty much everything that is required on a car.
        The law also states golf carts cannot be operated on streets with a speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour. In Lake Township, this means golf carts are prohibited on Woodville Road, East Broadway and most roads in the country. You are also not allowed to cross any such streets and roads.
        If you are starting out with a cart that was used on a golf course, it may take more money and work than you think to make it street-ready, so figure the expense before you buy the cart.
        The responsibility does not end with getting the cart licensed. The safe operation of a cart rests with the driver. The recent incident indicates the cart was being driven too fast when it was going around a corner, throwing the passenger off the cart and into the street.
        Remember, the operator of a golf cart can be cited just like the driver of any other type of motor vehicle for driving recklessly, or any other infraction that may have occurred.
        Drivers of golf carts might also be on the receiving end of a lawsuit should anyone be injured, thus the importance of having the cart insured.
        Driving or riding on a golf cart can be a pleasurable experience, unless or until something goes wrong.
        This article is a public service from the Community Policing/Crime Prevention Division of the Lake Township Police Department. Township residents may obtain further information on crime prevention and public safety topics by contacting Ron Craig, crime prevention specialist/community policing officer, at 419-481-6354.

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