By Rusty Bradshaw

Independent Newsmedia

A Sun City residents’ group wanted to help improve golf car drivers’ safety when they began giving away seat belts a few years ago.

But it all seems to have gone for naught with a recall by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office of all the devices. The recall was announced last week, but little information was provided for the recall’s reasons. A press release stated potential safety concerns were brought to MCSO’s attention.

Maricopa County Sheriff's deputies install seat belts on a golf car during a Sun City giveaway.

“There was a golf cart accident that brought this to MCSO’s attention, and MCSO determined it would offer the recall ourselves,” said Mark Casey, MCSO public information director. “This did not come from a manufacturer.”

When pressed for specific reasons for the recall, Mr. Casey said there was no additional information available.

However, he did say MCSO’s decision was not based on a lawsuit filed involving a golf car accident, as was speculated by Lou Sniderman, Retired Community Association of Sun City member.

The RCA was the group that bought the seat belts and offered them in several giveaways over the years. During those giveaways, most in Sun City at the Sun Bowl, 10220 N. 107th Ave., MCSO deputies and Posse members were on hand to assist.

Sun City resident Lucky Marr, then RCA president, purchased the seat belts direct from China in 2008. He said the devices were U.S. Department of Transportation certified. The last seat belt giveaway was in 2016.

“I sent all the information I had at that time to a fellow in Sun City West,” Mr. Marr said. “They participated in their own giveaway at the same time from our supply, we bought them jointly.”

Sun City Posse and Sun City West Posse also participated in each giveaway session in the two communities, but all installations were done by MCSO deputies.

Recreation Centers of Sun City former board member Rich Hoffer watches as MCSO deputies install seat belts on golf cars during a giveaway.

The seat belt giveaways were popular, as with each installation event, golf cars lined up to have the devices installed. The belts were just one part of the RCA’s effort to improve golf car safety. The group also distributed flags on flexible poles to attach to the golf car to help make it more visible in traffic.

Mr. Sniderman said he was surprised by the recall announcement.

“I found out about it off-hand,” he said.

Recall

MCSO’s golf car recall affects only those given away during the RCA and Posse events.

MCSO officials also are not making the recall mandatory. They simply recommend the use of the seat belts be immediately discontinued. MCSO arranged several opportunities for golf car drivers to have their seat belts uninstalled.

The MCSO District 3 station, 13063 W. Bell Road, will host disassembly sessions 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10; and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 19.

The Sun City West Posse headquarters, 20450 N. Stardust Blvd., will host sessions 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17; and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 26.

The Sun City Posse headquarters, 10861 W. Sunland Drive, will host sessions 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24; and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 2.