How Safe is the Lowly Go Kart? An Engineer Reveals the Inside Facts That Will Surprise You

Kids (little kids and big "kids") all find the sport of Kartingseems dangerous.
to be fun and exciting, but it is really safe?A track is by design, very safe. You can't hit anything
When you're going around a curve at full throttle, ithard and if you have a helmet and keep your hands
seems dangerous -- that's part of what makes it fun.and fingers on the wheel, about the only thing likely to
The danger (or perceived danger) adds to thebe injured is your ego when you get beat.
enjoyment of driving a go kart the same as it does forRacing go-karts is a sport where women really can
a lot of other adventures -- sky diving, bungee jumping,compete against men because even thought you
hang gliding, etc.have to be competitive and mentally strong, you don't
But when it comes to karting is it really dangerous?have to be physically strong.
There's no shortage of stories about people gettingBottom line: As an engineer and someone who has
hurt (thought usually not seriously) while racing go carts.enjoyed go karts for years, I can assure you it's a
Of course, there are a lot more accidents resulting insafe sport. So, if you're thinking about getting into
injuries in off-road karting than there is on go-kartkarting (for yourself or your kids), forget about the
tracks.dangers -- there aint' none. The fact is that IF you stay
The tracks that are designed for speed put power onon properly designed tracks and as long as you use a
the tracks so the go-kart will slide as it goes aroundlittle common sense, it just looks (and feels) like it's
the curves. This lets you go faster and adds to thedangerous.
thrill, but it doesn't make it more dangerous -- it just