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Florida public safety officials say unruly kids, intoxicated housewives and non-safety-conscious people are to blame for an alarming rise in golf cart fires, explosions and serious crashes in the state. Golf Cats
Once limited to puttering across the links, electric vehicles are everywhere in bustling Sunshine State communities, which tout themselves as “golf cart-friendly.”
But emergency service officials told The Post that has led to a sharp spike in golf cart-related mayhem — from garage explosions to booze-fueled accidents with severe injuries.
“We see it all now,” said one veteran emergency worker in The Villages.
“You have housewives getting drunk at lunch and getting into their carts and crashing.
“You have kids doing donuts and flipping over. Carts catching fire sometimes. Most people are responsible. But a hell of a lot of people aren’t.”
Jacksonville Fire Department Capt. Eric Prosswimmer said he’s seen a marked rise in golf cart fires of late, where batteries overheat and ignite due to substandard components or overcharging.
With many owners juicing up their vehicles inside their garage or in their driveways, entire homes have gone up in flames within minutes.
An 18-year-old Martin County boy suffered burns in November after his family’s cart suddenly caught fire in the garage and engulfed the home.
The teen suffered the injuries after unsuccessfully trying to save his dog from the blaze. He later made a full recovery after several days on a ventilator.
A 3-year-old child and her mother were badly injured and two others hospitalized in North Lauderdale earlier this month after their house caught fire in the middle of the night.
Local officials believe the fire was sparked by a golf cart that was charging on their property.
In The Villages, three golf carts have suddenly burst into flames on the street in recent months — with one inferno erupting during a crowded outdoor festival.
“They are becoming more prevalent now simply because they are more prevalent on the market,” Prosswimmer said.
Many of the fires stem from owners looking to cut costs by using foreign-made and lightly regulated chargers or other components, he noted.
With the niche becoming increasingly lucrative and competitive, Prosswimmer said some sellers are lowering their overhead by using cut-rate parts.
“In a controlled environment, they are fine,” he said. “But anytime there is an explosion in demand, you are going to have some unscrupulous people. Moving forward, it’s going to become more of a problem.”
Serious golf cart accidents, one Florida attorney told The Post, are becoming near-epidemic.
Lawyer Frank Butler, who specializes in golf cart cases, said the vehicles are becoming integrated into commercial areas and mingling with regular vehicle traffic.
That mix, he said, has kept his office phones ringing.
“A lot of little towns are passing laws to make their downtowns golf cart-accessible,” he said. “I don’t think the risks are fully appreciated. We’re seeing an increase in accidents and crashes across the board.”
Butler said many owners view their cart as a “carefree” mode of transport, often not bothering to buckle up or drive with caution.
Injuries, he said, are often serious because of the near-total lack of protection in the event of a crash.
From devastating orthopedic damage to death, he’s seen the gamut.
The veteran emergency responder from The Villages reported that many golf cart incidents involve alcohol.
Drivers view the odds of encountering law enforcement while doing 20 miles per hour down a golf cart path slim, and thus take liberties with libations.
And while technically illegal, some parents allow their minor children to drive their carts, adding yet another layer of risk to the electric vehicle equation.
The Cart Golf “Put it all together and you have an issue,” one EMT said. “I’m all for having a good time, but just know what you’re getting into.”