by Cindy Walker Burton

Happy Spring and summer’s just around the corner. It’s time to enjoy blooms, blossoms, birds, butterflies, blue skies, breezes, boats, biking, and baseball. Not to mention green grass, gardening, golfing, gatherings, and graduations. And of course, fun in the sun.

With the advent of Spring and Summer waiting in the wings, outdoor activities increase exponentially. I live very close to the Rock Port City Park and always notice the increase in road traffic when warm weather emerges. Sun’s out, fun’s out! There are golf carts, scooters, ATV’s (all terrain vehicles) and UTV’s (utility task vehicles), LSV’s (low speed vehicles) and SUV’s, SxS (side by sides), electric bikes and pedal bikes, skateboards and hoverboards, strollers, motorcycles and mini-bikes, cars and trucks. Dedicated walkers (like me) are out in full force racking up miles on our sneakers.

I implore everyone – no matter what your mode of transportation – to drive carefully and considerately. Please exercise caution and observe smart driving habits when you encounter busy populated areas like the park, public gatherings, intersections, and special events. Stay alert and stay alive. Resist the need for speed. Don’t put the pedal to the metal.

This statistic should concern you: according to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, an estimated 13,000 golf cart-related accidents occur on public roads and streets annually in the United States. Pro football Hall of Famer John Elway’s friend and former agent died in April after receiving blunt force head trauma after falling from a moving golf cart.

Our beautiful golf course is very popular and active, so I politely urge pre-teen and teen golf cart operators to drive “as if your parents are watching you.” Recently on my daily walk, I witnessed three golf carts (with very young drivers) traveling as fast as possible while side by side (three across) on the golf course road. They were having lighthearted fun racing, but my heart was racing because I feared for their safety and potential oncoming traffic. Reluctantly, I chose apathy instead of action and did nothing. Perhaps this article will serve to bring important attention to the dangers of risky speeding and playing games while operating golf carts (or anything on wheels for that matter). Driving is a privilege. Choose caution to avoid collisions.

Let’s all work together to keep our streets safe and accident-free. I wish everyone a joyful, fun-filled Spring and Summer. Remember: Please be alert because accidents hurt. Arrive alive.