A man was lucky to escape with a few cuts and bruises after he crashed his go-kart into a car Friday in Maple Ridge.
The crash was the second go-kart accident in a span of nine days, prompting police to issue a warning to keep unlicensed vehicles off the roads.
“It was almost identical to the other accident,” said Maple Ridge fire chief Peter Grootendorst, referring to a fatal collision between a go-kart and pickup truck March 27 that killed a 33-year-old man in Webster’s Corner.
“Moral of the story: don’t drive go-karts on the street.”
Police are still investigating the fatal collision, but have determined that the crash was caused by driver error. Friends of the man who was killed said he was an avid outdoorsman. Police are not releasing his name publicly.
Mechanical failure of the brakes also appeared to be a contributing factor in the fatal collision, according to Ridge Meadows Sgt. Dale Somerville.
Friday’s crash happened on Glenhurst Street at 118th Avenue around 5 p.m.
The go-kart crashed into the side of a car, losing a wheel. The impact also caused a fuel spill, which was mopped up by the fire department.
The go-kart driver was treated at the scene for a cut on his shin.
He was ticketed by Ridge Meadows RCMP.
Somerville reminded residents that go-karts have no place on public roads.
“They are designed for recreational use in a controlled environment,” he said, adding that because go-karts are so low to the grounds, they put drivers in a dangerous position where they can’t be seen by other vehicles.
“Go-karts on any public roadway will not be tolerated by police,” said Somerville.
Go-karts will be towed if found on a public road and the driver will be ticketed under the Motor Vehicle Act.