When it comes to go-karting, the thrill of zooming around the track at breakneck speeds can be an exhilarating experience. However, underneath the excitement lies a question that often lingers in the minds of both beginners and enthusiasts: Is go-karting dangerous?
Go-karting is usually a safe sport but can be dangerous if the driver does not take proper precautions before racing. If you are new to the sport, you must learn which mistakes you shouldn’t make on the racing track. This will keep you safe from accidents and injuries.
In this comprehensive analysis, we delve into the details, statistics, and measures to help you understand the safety aspects of this adrenaline-pumping activity, ultimately empowering you to stay safe while enjoying the world of go-karting.
How Dangerous Is Go-Karting?
Go-karting can be dangerous if you do not take the right measures to ensure your safety on the race track. There are many injuries you can sustain if you make a wrong move while driving a go-kart.
This is especially true for those who want to drive the kart at high speeds. You have to ensure you do not make fundamental mistakes while making turns and approaching other karts.
Go-Kart Deaths Per Year
Go-karting is usually a safe sport that people of all ages can participate in. A go-kart is not the same as traditional motorsport racing cars, but it can also come with certain risks if you do not take proper care.
The number of deaths per year is very low compared to other racing activities. In the US, most deaths occur due to collision or losing control of the kart due to inexperience, leading to less than 30 deaths per year.
The death fatalities are rare in this sport, but that does not mean it cannot happen to us. Children also compete in go-karting events from a very young age and most of them grow up to be excellent drivers. In this process, they incur lots of injuries and can sometimes cause death.
Go-karting is comparatively safer than other traditional racing sports, as the go-kart doesn’t flip over when it meets with an accident. Other motorsport cars are very fast and they can flip over and crash, killing the driver inside the car.
Also Read: Whiplash Risks In Go-Karting
Go-Karting Accident Statistics
The last fifteen years have seen more than 10,000 karting-related accidents on race tracks across the world. Out of these, the number of deaths has been very low.
Most of the accidents result in fractures in bones, wrists, skin wounds, etc. which happens due to a lack of knowledge about the tracks or because the driver is ignorant about the dos and don’ts of go-kart racing. One of the biggest factors of karting injuries is collision with other karts on the track.
It is important to keep yourself updated with the safety regulations before going go-karting. Knowing the safety guidelines will keep you out of harm’s way.
What Are The Dangers Of Go-Karting?
If you are new to go-karting, you should know that it can be dangerous if you do not understand its basics. You have to maintain discipline in some aspects to ensure you remain safe throughout the race.
If you make a mistake while racing in a go-kart, it can lead to injuries. You should try to avoid making these mistakes to be on the safe side. Let’s talk about some basic knowledge you need before you start the engine!
Speed and Control Challenges
You should be able to manage the speeds you are driving in and the controls of the go-kart. Speeding is not the best way to start if you are a beginner.
First, learn how to control the go-kart during sharp turns and when approaching other karts. If you can do that, you will slowly get yourself acquainted with the nature of go-kart racing in time.
You must remember to slow down when approaching the curves, or else the go-kart will roll over and you will end up with injuries. Learn when to hit the gas and when to slow down to ensure maximum safety and satisfaction during a race.
Collision Risks
You might collide with another racer on the track, and it can have a lot of implications for both drivers. Taking care by knowing the surroundings is one of the most fundamental aspects of driving.
Since a go-kart has no external protection for the person sitting inside, the risks are much higher when you collide when you collide with another kart. A collision can lead to risky injuries if the kart turns over.
How To Stay Safe While Driving A Go-Kart
It is important to take all safety measures before you drive a go-kart. Here are some safety measures you can take to have a smooth drive throughout the race track.
Helmets and Protective Gear
You must wear proper gear if you are planning to drive a go-kart. Since go-karts do not have body cover like other race cars, you must keep yourself protected at all times.
One of the best ways to ensure your safety is to wear industry-standard go-kart gear. The complete gear includes a helmet, body suit, shoes, and gloves.
The helmet will keep you safe from all kinds of head injuries, the body suit will prevent scratches from occurring on your body, the shoes will keep your feet and toes intact, and the gloves will ensure you do not get wounds on your hands.
Track Design and Safety Features
If you want to make sure you are as safe as possible, you must select the right race track. Choose the one with the most safety measures put around the track.
If some tracks have sharp turnings in short distances, you must try to avoid those unless you are a professional racer. Sharp curves can lead to accidents when you are speeding. You must also look for go-karts with roll bars and seatbelts to protect your body from external forces in case of an accident.
If you have to go go-karting, choose the place that provides you with the safest tracks. They should provide all safety gear in addition to the well-designed track.
Also Read: Read About The Seat Belt Dilemma In Go-Karting
Training and Education
You should read all the guidelines and listen to briefings provided by the employees before driving a go-kart. Different go-kart places will have different tracks and karts.
You need to understand how their go-karts and tracks function. Understanding how a go-kart functions is the key to keeping yourself safe while driving. You must educate yourself by reading the driving manuals and memorizing the track before you go racing.
Supervision and Rules
If you are a young driver or a first-timer, it is important to have someone by your side who knows how go-karts work. That person can be your adult family member or an employee at the facility who can guide you on how to drive the go-kart.
The adults should instruct their young ones with basic safety measures before driving a go-kart. It is your responsibility to take the safety of the youngsters in your hands.
Letting young drivers understand how they can stay safe by following the basic rules of driving go-karts is important. They should understand that following the rules of driving go-karts will reduce the chances of meeting accidents.
Risk Reduction Strategies
Another way of being safe out in the tracks is to manage the risks connected to go-karting. By risk management, we mean taking care of the things that are under your control, such as maintaining your vehicle, getting more practice, etc.
If you own a go-kart, make sure every part of the engine is well-maintained and oiled to perfection. Check the tires and engine for any damages or missing parts. Maintaining your vehicle will reduce the risk of any mid-race problems.
You can also take up advanced racing courses to learn more about go-kart racing and keep yourself a step ahead of everyone. You will be safer if you have more knowledge about your go-kart.
Is Karting Safe For Kids?
Letting your kids take up go-karting as a fun activity is safe, especially if you take all the proper precautions. There is a huge difference between karting for professionals and kids.
The go-karts for kids do not have the same power in their engines as the adult ones. They are also smaller in size and lighter in weight. The safety of kids in these go-karts is assured because there is zero chance that they will meet with accidents.
There can be times when two go-karts collide with one another or hit the rubber barriers, but there will be no injuries for the kids. The go-karts are light and small, making it impossible for them to become a safety issue for kids.
It is also important to make the kids wear all the safety gear as an extra step to ensure their wellbeing. The minimum gear you should make them wear is a helmet, gloves, and shoes.
Also Read: Navigating Age Limits In Go-Karting
Conclusion
Go-karting is a fun activity that has lots of positives, but it can be dangerous sometimes if you don’t take proper care. It is vital to know how a go-kart functions and the nature of the tracks before you start driving.
You must take all safety precautions, like wearing a body suit, gloves, and helmet, and mastering the controls if you want to avoid any fatal accidents. If you have young kids, make sure you supervise them properly when they are driving go-karts.
It is good to practice safe driving for the benefit of everyone involved. Ensure you stay safe by assessing the risk factors before driving a go-kart!
