GOLF CARTS on the streets? A good idea or a recipe for disaster? Accidents sometimes fatal

STATEWIDE - Each year, about 13,000 golf cart-related accidents require emergency room visits, and that number is rising as the economical, fun-to-drive carts become more popular on city streets. Of those accidents, about 40 percent involve children younger than 16, and half of those are due to a fall from a moving golf cart.

Golf carts that go slower than 20 mph are the kind most often used on the street. These carts are usually bought used and are not regulated, unless state or local governments set rules. In the State of Florida, anyone 14 or older may drive a golf cart, even without a driver's license. No seat belts or safety features are required. The local government restricts approved streets that golf carts may be operated.

In Florida there are many communities approved to use golf carts for transportation. Sun City Center and The Villages of Florida are two communities that allow its residents to use golf carts for transportation. Recently in Hillsborough County a path was opened allowing carts to cross U.S. 301 for access to a WalMart in Wimauma.

A few Davis Islands residents have asked the Tampa City Council to allow golf carts in community to include transporting children to sports practices and games. On June 24 the City Council will hear from the city attorney and officials from the Tampa Police Department.

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SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT in Ruskin sends 10 children to local hospitals

RUSKIN — A school bus carrying 39 children crashed into a truck Wednesday morning on the way to school. The crash was investigated by the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office. The bus driver and ten (10) students were taken to local hospitals for treatment of minor injuries.

The bus driver was given a citation for failure to yeild the right of way.

PIT BULL DOG bites 5-year-old child in the face ♦ 911 called ♦ Pinellas County Sheriff and Pinellas County Animal Services respond

MADEIRA BEACH ♦ A 5-year-old boy was attacked by a 65 pound pit bull terrier causing serious injuries. The Pinellas County Sheriff and Pinellas County Animal Services were called to the scene. The dog snapped at the child's face twice, deputies said, before the father was able to get him out of the home.

The boy was taken to All Children’s Hospital for treatment. The dog bit him on the upper lip, sheriff's officials said.

Pinellas County Animal Services took custody of the dog.

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Court rules business liability waivers unenforceable against minors.

The Insurance Journal recently reported, "The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that a parent can't execute an injury liability waiver for a minor child when the liability release involves participation in a commercial, as opposed to community or nonprofit, activity" as "such releases are more in the interest of the commercial interests requiring them than they are in the best interests of the public or the child who may be injured, the court found." The wrongful death suit arose after a child wrecked his ATV at Thunder Cross Motor Sports Park. His father had signed a "release and waiver of liability, assumption of risk and indemnity agreement" for his son in order to "gain entry."