Amusement Park Safety

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Amusement Park Safety

 

" The [amusement park] industry keeps stonewalling fundamental safety oversight protections, leaving the prosecution of responsible parties as the only deterrent left, and by then, it is often too late. " – U.S

.. Rep. Ed Markey

Most Americans assume their favorite amusement park is the safest place on earth. In fact, many theme parks are completely unregulated due to a 1981 bill that exempts fixed-site amusement parks (which include major parks such as Six Flags and DisneyLand) from investigations and safety upgrades by the Consumer Product Safety Commision (CPSC). The loophole also prevents the adoption of a national clearinghouse of safety information about amusement park rides that could help prevent injuries and save lives.

Without such protection, lawyers often find themselves the only people in a town holding theme parks accountable for safety. All too often, states do not close the loophole and let theme parks operate without any independent safety review. It takes a tragedy before any real change can occur.

 

Homicide Verdict in Tennessee

In Seviereville, Tennessee, a jury convicted former amusement park manager Charles Stanley Morgan of reckless homicide for June Alexander's fatal fall from a pendulum-like ride, The Hawk, in March 2004. June fell 60 feet to her death after her harness came loose in midair as her family watched.

According to CNN.com, " Alexander, 50, was celebrating her son Cody's 15th birthday at the park on March 14, 2004, when the accident occurred. Cody and her sister, Judy Sprinkles, were aboard the ride, while another sister watched from below.

 

" Prosecutors argued that the safety system on The Hawk, which swings higher and higher before turning 360 degrees, had been tampered with, causing the ride to take off even though Alexander's safety harness was not secured. " Cutting costs and protecting the company's financial interests were cited as reasons for the lack of safety oversight.

 

" Prosecutors frequently alluded to Martin's struggle to keep his park competitive next to Dollywood, even calling its chief safety inspector, Robert Fox, to compare Dollywood's safety standards for maintaining its rides to those of Rockin' Raceway. "

 

After this conviction, Tennessee lawmakers finally filed a bill to require operators to get a certificate proving their rides are inspected by an approved contractor every year. Unfortunately, this bill comes too late to save June Alexander's life.

 

Tragic Death in California

Marcelo Torres was 22-years-old when he and a friend visited Disneyland in California in September 2003. The two were excited as they boarded the front passenger seat of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster ride. Unknown to the passengers, the train was put into service in an unsafe condition. Once the train left the station and began the fastest part of the ride, it started to disintegrate.

 

The front locomotive, merely a decorative piece on the train, derailed, launching the locomotive upward and causing it to land back on top of Marcelo and his friend. Marcelo died and his friend suffered serious and continuing injuries.

 

With no federal safety oversight and state regulations still not final, Marcelo's safety depended on Disney's ability to self-police. Unfortunately, for several years prior to Marcelo's death, the company is alleged to have made several cost saving decisions that put profits before safety.

 

Top 5 Things You Can Do to Protect Yourself

 

Patronize Parks and Carnivals that are Accountable to the PublicAmusement rides in the United States are regulated through a confusing patchwork of federal, state, and local laws that are riddled with special exemptions. Find out more about consumer protection laws governing amusement ride safety.

Learn About the Risk Factors So You Can Avoid ThemAmusement rides are not all created equal. Each ride type has different risk factors for different groups of people.

For more information, read SaferPark.org's analysis of Risk Factors.

Respect the ForcesAmusement rides expose an infinite variety of human beings to extremes of position, velocity, acceleration, and jerk.

Learn more about the physics of ride safety.

Pay Attention to DetailsYou should never board a ride if you see obviously broken parts, signs of poor maintenance or an inattentive operator. While most parks and carnivals pay close attention to ride safety, there are unfortunate exceptions—just as in any industry. Follow your instincts. If something about a ride seems out of whack, don't ride it.

 

Follow the RulesMany amusement ride accidents can be prevented if patrons understand how the rides work and how to avoid potential hazards. The following safety advocates have compiled safety tips for you and your family:

Safer Parks Council for Amusement and Recreational Equipment Safety National Safe Kids Campaign-- Diana Gonzalez

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying - the longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously - live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

-Unknown