Lowcountry responders warn of more golf cart crashes
Golf cart crashes are rising in Bluffton, and responders say head injuries and broken bones are becoming more common.
BLUFFTON, S.C. —
Golf carts are a big part of life in the Lowcountry, but first responders say they are now seeing a growing number of accidents and injuries.
Officials with the Bluffton Fire District say they have responded to multiple golf cart crashes in recent weeks, and many of the injuries have been serious.
“The injuries that we’ve seen are head injuries and broken bones, and those are the result of not wearing seatbelts and not being familiar with a golf cart,” said Stephen Combs, public information officer for the Bluffton Fire District.
First responders say those injuries are happening more often as golf cart use increases across the Lowcountry. They say many of the crashes involve people who do not realize just how different a golf cart is from a car.
“We often see parents driving with kids on their laps, and there’s no way to restrain the child. If the adult goes, then the child’s gonna go, and they’re both going to end up on the ground, probably severely injured,” Combs said.
Officials say the crashes are not happening on busy highways, but on quiet neighborhood streets and slower roads. They also warn that golf carts can overturn and should not be driven the same way as a car.
Area golf cart retailers say speed is another major concern.
“People are always wanting to get these things sped up as fast as they can go,” said Ben Andrews, Vice President at Club Car of Hilton Head.
“People oftentimes don’t really realize that 30 miles an hour in a golf cart that wasn’t designed to go 30 miles an hour is very unsafe.”
In Bluffton, drivers must have a valid license, wear seatbelts, and operate only on approved roads with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. Penalties can include fines up to $500 or up to 30 days in jail.