Golf Cart Crashes in The Villages, FL - November, 2012

Reprinted with permission from the Property Owners Association of The Villages monthly Bulletin:

Recent reports (ONLY THOSE THAT INVOLVED EJECTION, FALLING OUT OF THE GOLF CART, AND/OR INJURIES are provided) that we have received from Village residents, Public Safety, and area law enforcement. (Note: we cannot guarantee that the information we receive is completely accurate about all the details.)

October 3, 2012 – 8:20 pm - A golf cart was east bound on Morse Boulevard. The driver missed the golf cart path and turned late, hitting the gate arm and housing. When the golf cart jumped over the curb, it caused the driver to fall out of the vehicle and she hit her head. She was bleeding from her face and had abrasions on her legs. There was minor damage to the vehicle and some dam-age to the housing and gate arm. The driver of the vehicle was transported to the Villages Hospital for further medical treatment and she was cited for the crash.

Friday, October 12th – At approximately 11:20am there was a golf cart crash in the area of Buena Vista Boulevard and Stillwater Trail. Law enforcement determined that the golf cart hit a curb with the passenger side rear tire, causing the golf cart to start weaving and resulting in the driver being thrown from the golf cart. The 77 year old female driver had several areas that had abrasions

due to being thrown from the cart. She was transported to the Villages Hospital for further treatment. She stated she was driving southbound on the golf cart path eating some popcorn when her tire hit the curb. She said she was unable to stay in the cart due to its weaving.

The POA is pleased to announce that we have met with law enforcement representatives from the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office regarding the increasing number of fatalities and serious injuries which involve either ejections and/or people falling out of golf carts. It is our desire for area law enforcement representatives to help make residents aware of these circumstances and advise them that, while use of a seat belt is not a State law for golf carts, residents might want to consider using one if driving on the public roads.

Lt. Nehemiah Wolfe advised the POA that this concern is something that is being dis-cussed and it is an ongoing matter. He pro-vided the POA with the following statement:

“The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office official position on the subject of seat belts in golf carts is supported by Florida State Statute 316.212 and the National Golf International Light Transportation Vehicle Association, Inc. (ANSI Z130.1) This states that seat belts are not required on golf carts. However, because of the recent efforts made in tracking golf cart crash reports, twelve reported deaths from golf cart ejections was discovered. Therefore, area Law Enforcement has agreed to inform the public of these findings. Please reference the web links below:

Golf Cart Standard

https://iltva.org/standards/

Street Legal Vehicle Standard

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/rulings/lsv/lsv.html

316.212 Florida State Statute”.

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