Go-kart-related injuries and fatalities in Australia

Abstract

Go-kart-related injuries and fatalities have been investigated in several international studies over the past two decades, yet few have focussed on their crashworthiness. Go-karts are a unique racing and recreational vehicle that require careful consideration in terms of crashworthiness issues. Furthermore, no studies have been reported investigating Australian go-kart-related injuries and fatalities. To address this gap, the pattern of hospitalised morbidity and death associated with go-kart-related injuries in Australia were analysed. Also an in-depth case study of a go-kart fatal incident was simulated using a multi-body program commonly used to design crashworthy vehicle and barrier systems in order to highlight implications for the crashworthy design required for go-kart safety equipment and barrier protection. Recommendations concerning accessible safety devices such as seat belts, roll bars and appropriately designed energy dissipating crashworthy barrier systems are discussed.