By Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Chairman Alliance for a Safe Community
KOTA KINABALU: The recent go-kart accident which reportedly left a 21-year-old rider with severe scalp injuries is a serious reminder that go-karting, although a recreational activity, involves speed, machinery and the very real risk of serious injury.
The incident should not simply be treated as an unfortunate accident. It must prompt a thorough review of safety standards and operating practices at commercial go-kart centres nationwide.
Safety must be a shared responsibility between riders and operators.
Riders must obey safety instructions, wear properly fitted protective equipment, drive within their ability and never engage in reckless overtaking, bumping or speeding.
However, operators have an even greater responsibility to ensure that the entire go-karting environment is safe.
I urge the relevant authorities to review whether existing regulations and safety requirements for commercial go-kart centres are adequate and consistently enforced throughout the country.
Among the measures that should be given serious consideration are:
• Mandatory and properly conducted safety briefings before every session.
• Properly fitted and secured helmets and appropriate protective equipment for every rider.
• Regular inspection and preventive maintenance of all karts, with defective karts immediately removed from service.
• Clear speed limits appropriate to the track, kart and rider.
• Adequate trained marshals positioned at strategic and high-risk sections of the track.
• Effective warning systems and the ability to stop a session immediately when an accident or hazard occurs.
• Clearly defined emergency response procedures, with trained first-aid personnel and rapid access for emergency medical services.
• Regular safety audits and proper reporting and investigation of accidents and near misses.
Operators must also recognise that a waiver or indemnity signed by a customer should never become a substitute for proper safety management.
We should not wait for a fatality before taking action.
The principle should be simple: SAFE RIDER, SAFE KART, SAFE TRACK, SAFE SPEED, SAFE SUPERVISION AND RAPID EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
I therefore call for a nationwide review of go-kart safety standards, involving the relevant authorities, operators, safety experts and industry stakeholders, with a view to establishing clear and uniform minimum safety requirements.
Go-karting should remain an enjoyable family and recreational activity. But enjoyment must never come at the expense of safety.
Every rider has a right to return home safely after a day of recreation.
