Save yourself from your charging electric golf carts and a dangerous fire. Whatever might be the conclusion of the PGA Tour-PIF’s deal, the state of Florida has one other pressing matter to tend to. In recent times, the state of Florida has witnessed various incidents of electric golf carts catching on fire, posing a serious threat of physical and economic damage.

While electric golf carts do have component-related issues, first responders have claimed that one of the main reasons for golf carts catching fire is the irresponsible behavior of the people — from drunk driving, crashing, or kids driving the golf carts.

The culprit behind golf cart fire

In the last 6 months, Florida has noticed an increase in the golf cart fires. The emergency officials spoke to the New York Post and described the various reasons behind the fire incidents. One veteran worker from The Villages said, “You have housewives getting drunk at lunch and getting into their carts and crashing.”

Moreover, the officials described that the “kids doing donuts” and flipping the carts over also contribute to the list of the reasons for golf carts catching fire. Though he agreed, that some people were indeed responsible for the fire, he remarked, “a hell of a lot of people aren’t.”

Another official from the Jacksonville Fire Department, Eric Prosswimmer, explained the true cause behind the sudden fires. Prosswimmer claimed the overheating and overcharging of lithium batteries in the electric golf carts, coupled with the subpar standards of the components used in the batteries, add to the safety concerns in the golf carts. These factors also play a huge part in the sudden rise in fire cases, especially when the carts are charged in close spaces, like a garage.

In The Villages, three different incidents of golf cart fires have occurred, while two more fires from golf carts fatally injured people in different areas, having the potential to cause even more destruction. Thankfully, the fire department acted swiftly in its response, saving many lives.

The various golf cart incidents in Florida

In August, a woman’s cart caught on fire while she was driving around on the multi-modal path near Buena Vista Boulevard. The cart started emitting smoke around 4 p.m., but thanks to the woman’s quick reflexes, she was able to escape unscathed, as she distanced herself from the fire.

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Two more incidents were reported by The Villages, highlighting the rising demand for golf cart accessibility among the masses. Outside of The Villages, a recent incident of golf cart fire destroyed a house and caused critical injuries to a 3-year-old and her mother. Additionally, two other cases were reported just 3.5 hours away in Lauderdale.

A similar incident ensued in Northwest Fork Road, where a teenager sustained burns as he attempted to save his dog from the fire. The teen was kept on a ventilator and made a full recovery. Sadly the dog did not survive the accident. With the increase in demand and accessibility of golf carts, the state of Florida has also recently seen in a rise in golf cart fires. In the wake of such a troubling situation, all golf lovers should start considering opting for better carts, take precautions when charging them, and make a safer environment for golf to flourish.

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