For golf carts on streets, safety issues come to the fore

Golf carts are no longer just for hauling would-be Arnold Palmers and their clubs around for 18-holes. The carts have found their way into the streets of retirement communities across the country.

There are an estimated 400,000 golf carts in use in the United States with many in Nevada, Arizona, Florida and other areas with retirement communities like Del Webb's Sun City in Northwest Las Vegas.

With the high numbers of golf carts on the roads the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has enacted new federal regulations regarding low-speed vehicles, or vehicles that travel at speeds between 20-25 mph.

The regulations state that the carts must have seatbelts, headlights, tail lights, turn signals and rear-view mirrors.

Residents of Sun City will not have to comply with all the changes because the federal standard allows for states to decide which regulations will be adopted.

"We have a set of regulations already in place for golf carts," said Kim Evans, a Department of Motor Vehicles spokesperson. "To my knowledge we do not plan on making any changes and if we did we'd be very pro-active in letting people know what they had to do."

In Nevada golf carts operated on the city streets must have head and tail lamps, a mirror, brakes, and an emblem or placard for slow moving vehicles.

The main difference between the two standards is that Nevada does not require seatbelts. Some residents felt that that safety feature should be adopted.

"I think that seatbelts are a wonderful idea," Sun City resident Donna McIntire said. "My husband was in law enforcement and we are both in favor of the seatbelts. Some of the carts get moving pretty fast and more safety never hurts."

Golf Cart manufacturers have their own set of standards that they adhere to when it comes to safety and maximum speeds according to Chris Plummer, spokesman for Club Car golf carts of Atlanta, Ga.

"We have to keep the maximum speed between 15 and 17 mph," Plummer said. "The new federal safety standards therefore do not apply to us. Now if 'Joe Retailer' tricks out the carts to go faster then that the retailer becomes the manufacturer."

Local Golf Cart retailers do indeed customize the carts with some reaching speeds upwards of 40 mph.

"I've got mine souped up so that it will go 37 mph," resident Tom Johnson said. "Most of them do go between 20 and 25 mph though."

Johnson, who also works at Golf Cars Etc. at 8550 Del Webb Ave., said that seatbelts are not a big priority for golf cart owners despite the speeds that some can travel.

"We put some seatbelts in but they are mainly asked for by people whose grandchildren are coming to visit, and are worried about them riding in the carts," Johnson said. "I think that seatbelts should be up to the discretion of the owners."

Another resident, who wished to remain nameless, agreed that seatbelts should remain optional.

"My house is only a couple of blocks away from stores and the community center," the resident said on her way to play tennis. "We only drive the golf carts in Sun City so I don't see a problem in keeping them the way they are. I don't see the need (for seatbelts)."

According to Johnson, many of his customers use the carts for the convenience that it provides them, and new regulations may cut down on that convenience.

"I use mine all the time because it's easier then starting up the car," Johnson said. "A lot of people that live here don't have the money for a car or the inclination to fight traffic.

"When I first moved here (Sun City) I had a car and a pickup but I've since gotten rid of my truck because of the convenience of the golf cart."

The carts can run anywhere from $2,100 to $12,000 for the Rolls Royce of golf carts. Investing in the addition of a seatbelt will run customers around $50 according to Ivan Harris of Bill's Golf Carts at 9310 Sun City Blvd.

"It's really just a small adjustment," Harris said. "For safety purposes it is not a bad idea to have the belts. There have been 25 fatal golf cart accidents in the country and with the numbers of carts on the road it will likely increase."

Of course there are the hard core set that only use the carts for golfing and not as second cars. If only used for golf the safety regulations drop to simply having breaks.

Even if someone were to use a cart on the street that does not meet Nevada safety requirements the chances of being caught may be slim Johnson said.

"It's the same as anything else," Johnson said. "They probably spot check for violations, but how often are they going to do that? It's pretty much an honor system but if you get in an accident without the right safety features on your cart you could be liable."

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