Demetra Alarcon
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
An 85-year-old Holts Summit man died in a crash on Wednesday involving a golf cart while driving on Route AA.
According to a crash report put out by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, it was a two-vehicle crash on Route AA between Evergreen Drive and County Road 499 in Callaway County.
The report says a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu – driven by a 24-year-old Columbia man – rear-ended a golf cart the 85-year-old was driving.
ABC 17 spoke with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and Missouri’s Coalition for Roadway Safety about highway safety and highway rules. According to the Missouri Revised Statutes Section 304.570, a golf cart is not allowed at any time on any state or federal highway.
MSHP Capt. Eric Brown said that the only place a golf cart can drive legally on the streets is if a municipality has passed an ordinance allowing it.
“First and foremost, golf carts are not legally allowed to be operated on public roadways. State highways, federal roadways, and the only place they can be legally operated is in towns and municipalities that have passed ordinances specifically allowing their operation inside the city,” said Brown.
Brown highlighted the dangers of operating a low-speed vehicle on a high-speed highway, saying that multiple factors can become an issue.
“Specifically on golf carts, they’re obviously slower. They’re operating at a speed much less than what the rest of the vehicles in that row are operating at. Drivers aren’t necessarily on the lookout for vehicles such as golf carts, ATVs, or the low-speed vehicles,” Brown said.
Brown goes on to say that golf carts are not equipped with the same safety features that a standard car has. Saying that they don’t have brake lights, airbags, a solid roof or seatbelts.
“In essence, nothing about their vehicle is designed to be operated on the roadway, from its design, its tires, its power, its safety equipment. It’s all meant for off-roadway use, for recreational activities,” Brown said.
Brown suggests always being on the lookout when operating a vehicle, saying to follow the posted speed limit, give others plenty of room, and report hazards.
“It’s important to pay attention to the full-time job of driving, take advantage of every safety device that your vehicle has to offer, and make good, conscious decisions while you’re driving, to avoid becoming involved in a traffic crash,” Brown said.
Jon Nelson — state highway safety and traffic engineer for the Missouri Department of Transportation — gave similar advice, saying to operate within the rules of the road.
“it really doesn’t matter in what manner we’re using the system, whether we’re walking or biking or driving or, using a golf cart. We’ve got to do our due diligence to make sure we’re doing so in a safe manner, and making sure that others can also see us and be aware of us,” Nelson said.
Nelson said he encouraged drivers to expect the unexpected.
“Whether it’s a golf cart or a piece of farm equipment or, you know, a deer, someone walking down the middle of the road. I mean, we see things like this often in our state,” said Nelson. “Because let’s be honest, not everybody out there driving on the roadway knows whether or not golf carts are allowed on that road, or in that city or in that county.”
Nelson said the easiest way to stay safe is to refer to the basics. Drive the speed limit, pay attention, follow the law.
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