PETALING JAYA: Go-kart operators must conduct stringent safety checks and have clear emergency procedures in place, as seemingly minor risks such as loose clothing or unsecured hair can lead to serious injuries.
Assoc Prof Dr Law Teik Hua, who heads Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Road Safety Research Centre, said mandatory checks should be carried out before every race to ensure that participants meet basic safety requirements.
“Long hair, loose-fitting clothes, scarves, hood ties, jewellery and other loosely worn accessories all pose an entanglement risk during go-karting.
“They can be caught in moving parts of the vehicle and even affect how it functions,” he explained.
Law said such incidents are rare but could result in serious injuries, particularly to the head and neck.
As such, operators should ensure that participants secure their hair under a helmet or balaclava, tuck in loose clothing, fasten their helmets properly and remove loose accessories before entering the track.
“Just giving safety instructions may not be enough since most of those racing are first-timers,” he added.
Law also stressed that any serious accident should result in an immediate halt to the racing session, with trained personnel attending to the injured participant and securing the area.
“In cases of heavy bleeding or suspected head, neck or spinal injuries, first aid should be administered immediately.
“It is necessary to call for help without delay and properly document what happened, including notifying the victim’s family,” he said.
He added that allowing a session to continue while an injured participant remains on or near the track could lead to secondary accidents involving the victim, marshals, medical personnel or other drivers.
A red flag should be raised in the event of a serious injury, an obstruction on the racing line, dangerous debris, fire or fuel spillage, or whenever marshals or medical personnel need to enter the circuit, he said.
Law said circuits should also have emergency preparedness plans in place covering first-aid and trauma training for staff, readily available medical equipment, reliable communication with emergency services and arrangements with nearby hospitals.
For larger facilities hosting major events or large numbers of participants, he said more comprehensive medical preparedness might be required, including on-site medical personnel, advanced trauma equipment and rapid ambulance access.
“Although not all recreational go-kart circuits need to have an ambulance on standby, operators need to ensure quick access to emergency medical services, as survival after trauma depends on prompt assessment and treatment,” he said.
Previous cases have highlighted the risks.
In one case, a 33-year-old Singaporean died in a go-kart accident in Batam after her long hair became entangled in the rear wheels when her helmet came off during a high-speed crash into a barrier.
In another case, a 12-year-old girl was left paralysed from the chest down after her long hair got caught in a go-kart.
The Seremban Sessions Court later awarded the victim’s family nearly RM800,000 in damages after they sued the operator for negligence.
