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Identifying community safety and policy-based injury prevention opportunities to reduce golf cart injuries
Jana DeJesus1, Carlos Chavez, Jazzalyn Zou
1From the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, Department of Surgery (J.D., E.O., A.S., N.R.S., R.R., B.N.-M.); University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, School of Medicine (C.C., J.Z., K.B.); University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, School of Nursing (H.N.); and University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, Department of Trauma Services (J.M.).
Insights
Golf cart injuries in children have doubled, with most occurring at night and involving ejection. Community awareness and stricter enforcement of safety rules are crucial for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Trauma
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Golf cart use is increasing in small US communities.
- A rise in pediatric golf cart-related trauma has been observed.
- There is a need to understand risk factors and improve safety in coastal communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- Analyze trends in pediatric golf cart injuries.
- Identify risk and protective factors for these injuries.
- Develop community-level recommendations for enhanced golf cart safety.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of a trauma registry (2012-2022).
- Inclusion of demographics, accident details, and outcomes.
- Mapping of injury locations and observation of rental shop education.
Main Results:
- Annual golf cart traumas doubled since 2020, with 46% of patients being children.
- Eighty percent of injured children were out-of-county residents; only 10% were restrained.
- Injuries were common in the evening, on weekends, and during summer; ejection significantly increased injury severity.
Conclusions:
- Increased awareness of pediatric injury risks in tourist areas is needed.
- Partnerships with rental stores to enforce safety rules and improve signage are recommended.
- Policies such as protected lanes and no nighttime operation could reduce injuries.
Background:
In small US communities, golf cart utilization has become increasingly more common. In the past 3 years, the incidence and severity of pediatric golf cart-related trauma evaluated at our trauma center have noticeably increased. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze trends, identify risk and protective factors, and provide community-level recommendations to improve golf cart safety for children in a coastal community.
Methods:
A retrospective cross-sectional study of our institutional trauma registry was performed. The registry was queried for golf cart injuries between 2012 and 2022. Demographics, accident details, hospital course, and outcomes were reviewed. Data analysis involved quantitative statistics. Incident locations were mapped, including additional data from the County emergency medical service. In addition, customer education at four prominent golf rental shops was observed.
Results:
Annual golf cart-related traumas doubled starting in 2020. Of 235 total patients, 105 (46%) were children. Median age was 11.5 years (range, 2-17 years). Fifty-five percent were female, and 67% were non-Hispanic White. Eighty percent were out-of-county residents. The most common injury location was extremity (56%). The median Injury Severity Score was 4, and 3% died. Only 10% of children were restrained. Forty-one percent were ejected, and most (84%) were front-facing passengers. Ejection was associated with more severe injury (odds ratio, 4.13; p = 0.01). Most injuries occurred during 5 to 10 pm (47%), weekends, and summertime. Nighttime injuries were more severe than daytime ( p = 0.04). A hotspot of crashes was identified in a zone where golf carts were restricted. Rental stores provided education on seat belt use, car seat use for infants, and off-limit zones. However, rules were not enforced.
Conclusion:
Our results inform the following golf cart injury prevention opportunities: raising awareness of injury risks to children in high-tourist areas, partnering with rental stores to enforce rules, improving signage, adding protected lanes, and adopting a no nighttime operation policy.
Level Of Evidence:
Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.
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