A devastating incident unfolded in Fort Myers, Florida, as a 3-year-old child behind the wheel of a golf cart accidentally struck and killed a 7-year-old on Monday afternoon, Your Content has learned.
The Florida Highway Patrol shared this unfortunate news in a recent press release.
According to the authorities, the 3-year-old was navigating a right curve near a residential property when the front of the golf cart collided with the 7-year-old, who was standing in the front yard. Tragically, despite immediate medical attention, the older child was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Thankfully, the 3-year-old escaped physical harm.
This heart-wrenching event sheds light on concerns regarding underage individuals operating golf carts in Florida. A new state law has been passed in response to these concerns. Effective October 1, anyone below the age of 18 must possess a permit or driver’s license to legally drive a golf cart. The legislation, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, aims to address this issue and ensure safer practices.
Notably, the specific age requirement for minors to begin driving golf carts is not explicitly stated in the law. However, all minors must now acquire a permit or driver’s license to operate a golf cart legally in Florida. Individuals in Florida must be at least 15 years old and obtain parental consent to obtain a permit.
Regrettably, incidents involving golf carts and children are not isolated occurrences. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that over 6,500 children sustain injuries related to golf carts annually in the United States. Shockingly, slightly over half of these injuries involve children under the age of 12.
This tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring age-appropriate and responsible usage of golf carts, as well as implementing appropriate safety measures to prevent such accidents from happening again, according to CNN.