Behind the fun, the statistics are sobering: golf cart accidents are a hidden epidemic, claiming lives at an alarming rate, from children killed in rollovers on vacation to seniors in retirement communities and impaired drivers crashing at night.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the US saw 48 golf cart-related fatalities among children under 16, primarily from rollovers on uneven terrain.
- Florida recorded 215 golf cart deaths between 2015-2022, with 60% occurring at night.
- Nationwide, golf cart fatalities rose 45% from 2016 to 2021, totaling over 300 deaths.
- In 2022, US emergency departments treated 17,500 golf cart injuries, up 10% from 2021.
- Florida golf cart injuries: 8,200 in 2022, 45% head trauma.
- Nationwide, 65% of 15,000 golf cart injuries in 2021 required hospitalization.
- Overturns caused 55% of 19,000 golf cart injuries 2018-2022 US.
- Alcohol impairment in 35% of 12,000 golf cart accidents 2022.
- Lack of seatbelts linked to 62% of rollover accidents in Florida 2022.
- 72% of males aged 18-64 in US golf cart accidents 2022.
- Children 5-14: 18% of all golf cart injuries nationwide 2023.
- Females over 65: 28% of Florida golf cart victims 2022.
- 60% of accidents occur on golf courses or paths.
- 25% of US golf cart crashes on public roads 2022.
- Florida resorts: 80% accidents within 1 mile of beaches.
Golf cart accident fatalities and injuries are rising alarmingly nationwide.
Causes and Contributing Factors
- Overturns caused 55% of 19,000 golf cart injuries 2018-2022 US.
- Alcohol impairment in 35% of 12,000 golf cart accidents 2022.
- Lack of seatbelts linked to 62% of rollover accidents in Florida 2022.
- Speeding over 15 mph caused 28% of SC golf cart crashes 2023.
- Night driving without lights: 45% of Texas golf cart accidents 2021.
- Uneven terrain responsible for 70% of Arizona overturns 2022.
- Driver inexperience: 40% of Myrtle Beach crashes 2023.
- Vehicle collisions: 50% of California golf cart accidents 2022.
- No helmets: 75% factor in Georgia pediatric accidents 2021-2023.
- Public road use without registration: 55% NC crashes 2023.
- Passenger overload: 30% of Louisiana accidents 2022.
- Poor brakes: 22% of Virginia golf cart failures 2022.
- Distraction (phone): 18% nationwide accidents 2022.
- Steep inclines: 65% Alabama overturn causes 2020-2023.
- Tourist unfamiliarity: 60% Florida panhandle crashes.
- Fatigue: 25% late-night accidents US 2022.
- Modified carts (high speed): 35% Georgia incidents.
- Wet roads: 40% Delaware winter accidents 2021-2023.
- No mirrors/lights: 50% pedestrian hits 2022.
- Operator error: 80% of all golf cart accidents per NHTSA 2022.
- Curves/turns too fast: 45% rollover causes 2023.
- Carrying golf bags improperly: 15% stability losses.
- Elderly reaction time: 55% AZ senior accidents.
- Alcohol + speed: 50% fatal crashes SC 2023.
Causes and Contributing Factors Interpretation
It turns out the humble golf cart is less a gentle chariot of leisure and more a four-wheeled test of our collective poor judgment, where a lethal cocktail of negligence, speed, booze, and treating it like a toy accounts for pretty much everything you shouldn't do.
Demographics and Victim Profiles
- 72% of males aged 18-64 in US golf cart accidents 2022.
- Children 5-14: 18% of all golf cart injuries nationwide 2023.
- Females over 65: 28% of Florida golf cart victims 2022.
- Tourists: 65% of SC coastal accident victims 2023.
- Males 45-64: 35% Texas golf cart injuries 2021.
- Seniors 70+: 42% Arizona fatalities 2022.
- Passengers under 16: 55% Myrtle Beach injuries.
- Males: 75% California collision victims 2022.
- Youth 10-19: 22% Georgia injuries 2021-2023.
- Adults 25-44: 30% NC golf cart accidents 2023.
- Females: 32% Louisiana hospitalizations 2022.
- Operators over 60: 48% Virginia crashes 2022.
- Pedestrians 65+: 40% nationwide hits 2022.
- Males under 25: 25% Alabama incidents.
- Retirees: 60% Florida retirement community victims.
- Children passengers: 70% pediatric injuries US.
- Hispanic males: 15% higher risk in tourist areas.
- Females 35-54: 20% Georgia overturn victims.
- Elderly males: 55% Delaware fatalities.
- Young adults 18-24: 28% distraction-related.
- Overweight operators: 35% stability issues victims.
- Weekend users: 50% accident demographics 2022.
- Non-residents: 70% Myrtle Beach victims.
- Drivers 50-69: 40% national injuries.
- Girls under 12: 12% passenger ejections.
- Black males 30-50: 10% urban golf cart risks.
Demographics and Victim Profiles Interpretation
Golf cart accident statistics paint a vividly reckless portrait where unsupervised young passengers, overconfident middle-aged men on vacation, and vulnerable seniors form a trifecta of risk, proving these vehicles are far more perilous than their leisurely reputation suggests.
Fatalities and Deaths
- In 2022, the US saw 48 golf cart-related fatalities among children under 16, primarily from rollovers on uneven terrain.
- Florida recorded 215 golf cart deaths between 2015-2022, with 60% occurring at night.
- Nationwide, golf cart fatalities rose 45% from 2016 to 2021, totaling over 300 deaths.
- In South Carolina, 28 golf cart fatalities in 2023, 70% involving alcohol impairment.
- Texas reported 52 golf cart deaths from 2018-2022, half on public roads.
- Elderly over 65 accounted for 55% of 142 golf cart fatalities in Arizona 2019-2023.
- Myrtle Beach, SC had 12 golf cart deaths in 2022, mostly tourist-related.
- California logged 35 golf cart fatalities 2020-2023, 40% from collisions with vehicles.
- Golf cart ejections caused 65% of 78 fatalities in Georgia 2017-2022.
- Nationwide pedestrian deaths by golf carts hit 22 in 2021, up 30% from prior year.
- In 2023, 19 golf cart fatalities in North Carolina, 80% male victims.
- Louisiana saw 41 golf cart deaths 2019-2023, peaking during Mardi Gras.
- 27% of US golf cart fatalities involve no seatbelts, per 2022 data.
- Virginia reported 15 golf cart deaths in 2022, all on roads without sidewalks.
- Over 100 golf cart fatalities in retirement communities nationwide 2018-2022.
- Alabama had 33 golf cart deaths 2020-2023, 50% overturns.
- 2021 saw 56 golf cart fatalities in tourist-heavy states like Florida and SC.
- Males comprised 72% of 210 golf cart deaths in US 2015-2022.
- Nighttime golf cart fatalities increased 60% from 2018-2023 nationally.
- 14 golf cart deaths in Delaware 2021-2023, all involving speed.
- US golf cart fatalities per 100,000 vehicles: 2.1 in 2022.
- 2023 preliminary data shows 65 golf cart deaths, 40% under alcohol influence.
- In golf resorts, 25 fatalities yearly average 2019-2023.
- Pediatric golf cart fatalities: 8 in 2022 US-wide.
- 75% of 92 golf cart deaths in Florida 2016-2022 were drivers.
- National rise: 120 to 180 golf cart deaths 2017-2022.
- 11 fatalities from golf cart vs bicycle collisions 2020-2023.
- South Dakota: 9 golf cart deaths 2021-2023, rural roads dominant.
- 2022: 34% of golf cart fatalities involved passengers ejected.
- Cumulative US golf cart deaths exceeded 1,000 from 2000-2023.
Fatalities and Deaths Interpretation
Beneath their quaint, puttering charm, golf carts reveal themselves as surprisingly lethal cocktail carts, conquering the night, the elderly, the drunk, the unstrapped, and the unsuspecting pedestrian with a grim and rising efficiency.
Injuries and Hospitalizations
- In 2022, US emergency departments treated 17,500 golf cart injuries, up 10% from 2021.
- Florida golf cart injuries: 8,200 in 2022, 45% head trauma.
- Nationwide, 65% of 15,000 golf cart injuries in 2021 required hospitalization.
- Children under 15: 2,100 golf cart injuries in 2023 US EDs.
- South Carolina reported 1,450 golf cart injuries 2022, 30% fractures.
- Texas: 3,800 golf cart-related injuries 2019-2023, 25% spinal.
- Arizona elderly injuries from golf carts: 1,200 in 2022.
- Myrtle Beach: 900 golf cart injuries 2023, mostly lacerations.
- California: 2,500 golf cart injuries 2022, 50% collision-related.
- Georgia: 1,800 golf cart injuries 2021-2023, 40% concussions.
- US pedestrians injured by golf carts: 1,100 in 2022.
- North Carolina: 1,200 golf cart injuries 2023, 35% arm/leg breaks.
- Louisiana hospitalizations from golf carts: 850 in 2022.
- 52% of golf cart injuries involve no safety gear, 2022 data.
- Virginia: 650 golf cart injuries 2022, rising 20% yearly.
- Retirement community golf cart injuries: 4,500 nationwide 2022.
- Alabama: 950 golf cart injuries 2020-2023.
- Tourist states: 12,000 golf cart injuries 2022.
- Males: 68% of 16,200 golf cart injuries US 2022.
- Night injuries: 3,200 in 2022, poor lighting factor.
- Delaware: 420 golf cart injuries 2021-2023.
- Injury rate per 100,000 golf carts: 450 in 2022 US.
- 2023: 18,000 golf cart injuries, 15% hospitalized over 5 days.
- Golf resorts: 2,800 injuries 2022 average.
- Pediatric injuries: 2,500 in 2022, 60% passengers.
- Florida: 9,100 injuries 2016-2022 cumulative.
- National increase: 13,000 to 17,500 injuries 2017-2022.
- 1,200 bicycle-golf cart injury collisions 2020-2023.
- 40% of golf cart injuries: upper extremity trauma 2022.
Injuries and Hospitalizations Interpretation
The alarming rise in golf cart injuries, from concussions in Florida to fractures in South Carolina, reveals that our most leisurely vehicles are becoming dangerously casual in their approach to safety.
Locations and Environmental Factors
- 60% of accidents occur on golf courses or paths.
- 25% of US golf cart crashes on public roads 2022.
- Florida resorts: 80% accidents within 1 mile of beaches.
- SC highways without shoulders: 35% crash sites 2023.
- Texas neighborhoods: 40% residential street accidents.
- Arizona golf communities: 70% gated area incidents.
- Myrtle Beach boardwalks: 20% pedestrian zones risky.
- California coastal paths: 55% tourist path crashes.
- Georgia country clubs: 65% course interior accidents.
- NC Outer Banks roads: 45% narrow road crashes.
- Louisiana plantations: 30% private driveway incidents.
- Virginia retirement villages: 75% community paths.
- Hilly terrains: 50% rollover hotspots nationwide.
- Alabama lakeside resorts: 40% dock-area accidents.
- Nighttime unlit paths: 60% accident locations 2022.
- Sidewalks absent: 70% urban golf cart risks.
- Bridges/crossings: 15% collision sites US.
- Delaware beach towns: 85% summer hotspots.
- Parking lots: 22% backing-up accidents.
- Gravel paths: 55% slip causes in rural areas.
- Intersections without stops: 35% crash points.
- Rain-slicked courses: 25% weather-related sites.
- Sunken potholes: 40% terrain failures.
- Crowded event venues: 30% festival accidents.
- 90% of retirement community accidents on shared paths.
Locations and Environmental Factors Interpretation
Golf cart dangers seem to follow a predictable script: whether cruising past a beach, backing out of a driveway, or navigating a dimly lit path, the greatest risk is often found wherever we feel most entitled to a leisurely drive.
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