A 3-year-old driving a golf cart struck and killed a 7-year-old on Monday afternoon in Fort Myers, Florida, according to a news release from the Florida Highway Patrol.
The 3-year-old was approaching a right curve near a home on private property when the front of the cart hit the 7-year-old who was standing in the front yard, the release said.
The older child was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead, the release said. The 3-year-old wasn’t hurt.
Concerns about minors driving golf carts in Florida recently prompted the passage of a new state law, CNN affiliate WJFX reported. Anyone under the age of 18 will soon need to have a permit or driver’s license to drive a golf cart, the station reported last month.
The bill was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis and goes into effect October 1.
It doesn’t state an age when minors become eligible to start driving golf carts but does state all minors must have a permit or driver’s license to legally drive a golf cart in Florida. Drivers in Florida must be at least 15 and have parental consent to get a permit, WJFX reported.
Across the country, more than 6,500 children are hurt by golf carts every year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Just more than half those injured are children under 12.
zerbey on July 18th, 2023 at 19:57 UTC »
For those that don't know, many cities in Florida allow golf carts on public roads. Mine does, it's a great way to get around for small trips. Sadly, tragedies like this are why they're cracking down on allowing minors to drive golf carts. Saw plenty of kids driving recklessly before that. Letting your kid drive a golf cart, it's fun, it's a good way to introduce them to driving a real car, but they need to be supervised. My county already mandates you must have a learner's permit (which effectively limits golf carts to 15+). It becomes a statewide restriction in October.
naughtyzoot on July 18th, 2023 at 19:38 UTC »
How can a 3-y-o reach the pedal? Accelerator or brake.
mantene on July 18th, 2023 at 17:21 UTC »
You could have left off the "in Florida" and I still would have known it was in Florida. :(