PETALING JAYA: A recent go-kart accident in Puchong that left a 21-year-old rider with severe scalp injuries should prompt a nationwide review of safety standards and operating practices at commercial go-kart centres, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said go-karting, although a recreational activity, involved speed and machinery and carried a real risk of serious injury.
He said the incident should not simply be treated as an unfortunate accident but should 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,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Sept 26).
However, Lee said operators had an even greater responsibility to ensure the entire go-karting environment was safe.
He urged the relevant authorities to review whether existing regulations and safety requirements for commercial go-kart centres were adequate and consistently enforced nationwide.
Among the measures he proposed were mandatory safety briefings before every session, properly fitted and secured helmets and protective equipment, regular inspection and preventive maintenance of all karts, clear speed limits and adequate trained marshals at strategic and high-risk sections of tracks.
Lee also called for effective warning systems that could stop a session immediately in the event of an accident or hazard, as well as clearly defined emergency response procedures, trained first-aid personnel and rapid access for emergency medical services.
He said regular safety audits and proper reporting and investigation of accidents and near misses should also be carried out.
“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,” he said.
Lee called for a nationwide review involving relevant authorities, operators, safety experts and industry stakeholders to establish 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,” he said.
On July 11, 21-year-old Maanroshan Singh Hulon was left with severe scalp injuries and required emergency surgery following an accident while taking part in a recreational go-kart session with friends in Puchong.
The operator later said it had conducted an internal investigation and denied negligence, saying its safety procedures had been followed and the race was stopped immediately after the accident.
