Go-Karts – Safety measures and regulations

Karting is a fun activity that has become a favorite hobby for people of all ages. It’s a great way to spend holiday afternoons for people who want to experience the thrill of track racing. Highly popularized by Formula One legends Michael Schumacher and John Webber, go-karts provide the sensation of fast racing but with reduced danger and glamour. However, just like any other motorsports event, it comes with its own safety concerns. There have been cases of serious injuries and even deaths reported in the media. While it is the responsibility of the organizers and track owners to ensure that safety measures are followed, as a parent or participant, you should always be vigilant and ensure that basic safety rules and procedures are followed.

Don’t ignore the helmet and seat belt

Physics and common sense dictate the importance of wearing a seat belt. While cruising even at a slow speed of thirty or forty miles per hour, the impact after a collision with a hard obstacle can be severe for the driver. The same case applies when it comes to helmets and their importance cannot be underestimated. Go-karting can be fun, but it can be dangerous even after a minor accident. The seat belt and helmet should be the first thing to wear before starting the engine. They can, and indeed will, save you from the agony of preventable injuries.

Recommended age and height

It is commonplace for parents and guardians to want to break the rules when it comes to meeting the recommended minimum age and height for their children. Most will lie about their children’s age just to give them a chance to participate. At most facilities, go-karts are restricted to children over the age of 9 and the minimum height restriction is 150 centimeters. On other tracks, the age limit can be up to 12 years. However, these limits, which sound prohibitive, are not punitive anyway. They are intended to protect your children and are reached after considering the cognitive abilities of young children and the operational requirements of these small machines.

alcohol is not allowed

This may sound like an old cliché that has been ignored for a long time, but when it comes to the go-kart racing track, alcohol is prohibited in the strongest possible terms. In fact, this is the cardinal rule of motorsport and is one of the main causes of accidents. The alcohol ban is for your own protection and the protection of other track users.

Respect the quarterbacks

Track management has qualified staff to ensure that go-karting is fun, uneventful and satisfying. They will come to your aid when the need arises and will be the first to respond in the event of an accident.

Respect established procedures and also the staff as they are there to ensure you are safe and adhere to basic karting etiquette.