Golf Cart Safety Tips
Last month, we went over some basic golf cart driving etiquette, but that’s not the end of the story. While it’s important to be courteous to other golfers, you also simply want to be safe in your golf cart, especially if you use it for street purposes, as well as off-road ones. That’s why this time around, Revel 42 Golf Carts & Powersports has provided some tips on staying safe in your golf cart. Read on to learn more, or stop by our location in Garner, North Carolina and check out what we have available right now. We proudly serve Raleigh, Clayton, and Cary.
Never Drive Recklessly
This is probably a good tip to follow if you’re behind the wheel of any vehicle, but it applies to slower models like golf carts. There are some basics like following posted speed limits and follow best driving practices. Make sure you give yourself plenty of space to slow down for a turn and always look for pedestrians. Approach hills and slopes carefully and keep your eyes peeled for obstacles and debris in your path. In other words, pay attention to the road and use all the same skills you use behind the wheel of your bigger vehicles.
This also includes sobriety. Never drink and drive, including recreational drugs. If you’re taking prescriptions that might hinder your ability to focus behind the wheel, talk to your doctor about your concerns.
Staying focused isn’t just about staying sober. Anything that might pull your attention away from what you’re doing should be put away or mitigated. This includes cell phones, food, rowdy passengers, and anything else that causes you to divide your attention. Even if you feel protected and secure, accidents do happen, so be careful when you’re behind the wheel.
Don’t Overpack
Be mindful of how much you pack onto your golf cart. It can handle some weight, but there is a limit. Passengers and clubs are fine, but if you continue to add hundreds of pounds of extra weight, you risk damaging the vehicle or popping a tire. Just make sure that you stay within the recommended carrying capacities when you’re loading up your gear.
Instruct Passengers on Safety
When you have other people in the vehicle, make sure they understand some of the basic rules as well. While we’d like to think passengers would know not to distract the driver, this doesn’t always turn out to be the case. Also tell them to keep all their arms and legs inside the cart and to keep the noise level down, as golf courses often have rules about noise (see our previous post). As the driver, you’re responsible for limiting the number of passengers you carry as well. Only carry as many people as you have seats for and never try to squeeze another person on.
What’s the Weather Like?
When the weather gets bad, odds are you won’t opt for your golf cart if you don’t have to. Even if you have a plastic cover over the frame to keep out the rain, it can still get cold and you’ll probably head inside as soon as possible. What you want to really keep an ear out for is thunder. Where there’s thunder, there’s lightning, and golf carts are prone to attract lightning strikes. If you hear a boom, head inside as quickly and as safely as possible.
When you’re being safe around your golf cart, you can spend more time enjoying one of your favorite pastimes, and less time worrying about an accident waiting to happen. If you’re still looking for a golf cart to own, then stop by Revel 42 Golf Carts & Powersports. We’ll help you find the right model for you. We welcome all patrons from Garner, Raleigh, Clayton, and Cary, North Carolina.