Child Safety and Golf Carts

If you’re searching for a fun, new activity to do with your child, then you might find that taking your kid with you for a ride on your golf cart can be a fun bonding experience. Maybe the whole family is playing a round of golf. Maybe you’re cruising around the neighborhood or heading over to your neighbor's barbecue. Riding together means that you’re all spending time together. However, before you get started on this activity, you will want to take some proactive steps to ensure a safe ride for everyone.

After all, a golf cart is a motorized vehicle that can present safety risks, especially to younger children. We've gathered up tips for making your golf cart even safer for child passengers below. If you want more advice or want to explore golf carts for sale, visit Revel 42 Golf Carts & Powersports. Our dealership is located in Raleigh and Wilmington, North Carolina. We also proudly serve those in Clayton and Cary, NC.

1. Upgrade Your Golf Cart

One great way to make your golf cart safer is to add specific aftermarket accessories, such as seatbelts. A lack of seatbelts is a common cause for injury since children can easily fall out of the seats if they aren't secure.

Another common upgrade is adding headlights and brake lights, which are not always found on golf carts. The extra visibility can make it easier for you to see obstacles up ahead and can make you more visible to others. You can also add reflectors to help make your golf cart even easier for others to spot.

2. Practice Defensive Driving

Golf carts can be modified to go at higher speeds, but you will want to stick to the lower speeds when driving with your children on board. Most models are designed to safely operate at a maximum speed of no higher than 14 miles per hour, so that's a good limit to stick to.

You will also want to keep in mind that the rear-axle brakes on a golf cart are different than the brakes in your commuter car. It's all too easy to fishtail your golf cart or overturn it, so be sure you have spent enough time practice driving and figuring out your brakes before you take passengers for a ride.

Know Your Golf Cart's Limits

Take the time to check your golf cart's owner's manual to see the recommended number of passengers and the total weight your golf cart can hold. These limits are there for a reason, so be sure you stick to them.

Set the Safety Rules

Before you take your kids for a ride, you will want to establish some rules. Teach them to keep their arms and legs inside the golf cart at all times. They should also know not to distract the driver so that the driver can stay focused on safely operating the golf cart. You will also want to be strategic about where your children sit in the golf cart. Younger children should be in a forward-facing seat to help reduce the chance they will fall out. 

Equip Kids with Safety Gear

Finally, make sure every child passenger has the right gear. It's not all that different from gearing up for a powersports vehicle ride. A well-fitting helmet is a great idea, especially for younger children. Make sure everyone is wearing snug clothing that won't catch on anything. For footwear, passengers should wear closed-toed shoes that don't have any loose or dangling laces.

We hope you found this guide helpful. If you need any assistance with making your golf cart safer or want to see golf carts for sale Clayton or Carry, NC, visit Revel 42 Golf Carts & Powersports. We have a full inventory of golf cart parts, as well as a service department to help you with any problems that might occur. Stop by our dealerships in Wilmington or Raleigh, NC, for all of your golf cart needs!