According to a recent study, an increasing number of children are experiencing injuries from golf cart accidents.
Researchers presented their findings Sunday at the American Academy of Pediatrics’ annual meeting in Denver, revealing that golf cart injuries among children have shown a steady upward trend over the last three years.
The data indicates that nine out of every 10 injured children were boys, with nearly half of all injuries occurring in those younger than 12 years old.
Golf carts have become an increasingly familiar presence in certain suburban communities, researchers noted.
Study author Dr. Theodore Ganley, who directs the Sports Medicine and Performance Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, explained in a news release: “The growing trend of golf cart use in residential areas, alongside the increased frequency of children driving and riding these vehicles, correlates with a concerning rise in both the number and variety of childhood golf cart injuries.”
The research involved examining federal injury data specifically related to golf cart accidents involving children, teenagers, and young adults.
Researchers calculated that approximately 53,900 such injuries took place between 2010 and 2023, averaging more than 3,800 incidents annually.
Results demonstrated that collisions followed by cart rollovers represented the most frequent accident scenario, accounting for roughly 36% of all incidents and 46% of cases involving teenagers.