How Safe are U.S. Amusement Park Rides? | DENENA | POINTS

How Safe are U.S. Amusement Park Rides?

There is no federal regulatory authority governing amusement park ride safety. Our amusement ride injury lawyers note that the U.S. Congress took away the authority formerly held by the CPSC to oversee ride safety in 1981. So regulation and inspection of amusement park rides is left to state authorities. But only 44 of the 50 states actually regulate the rides.

Wyoming, Utah, South Dakota, Alabama, Mississippi, and Nevada do not regulate amusement park ride safety. To be fair, Wyoming doesn’t have any amusement parks, so it probably doesn’t need to regulate such rides. In other states, some of the amusement parks are left to inspect and regulate their own rides. For instance, Florida lets the largest of the theme parks self-regulate amusement park ride safety.

How do Amusement Park Ride Safety Precautions Work?

Modern rides for the most part rely on computerized technology that generally won’t set a ride in motion unless all the safety restraints are properly latched and the track is clear. But our amusement ride injury lawyers point out that computer glitches can happen with ride technology as with other programs. And older or smaller rides might still depend on the ride operator’s attention and visual inspection.

Many ride accidents are attributed to mechanical failure or operator inattention. And many ride operators are young and inexperienced. So if you notice that a ride operator looks inattentive or bored, don’t get on.

What Governs Ride Safety Standards?

Amusement park standards, which remain voluntary, are set by the F-24 Committee of ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) International. The F-24 Committee includes amusement park operators, ride manufacturers, industry suppliers, consumer advocates, and government officials. The voluntary standards include guidance on ride inspections, maintenance, design, manufacture, testing, and quality assurance. And our amusement ride injury lawyers also note that individual ride manufacturers also issue specific guidance regarding age and height restrictions, maintenance, and occasionally recall information.

Some safety advocates have called for a federal regulation and inspection scheme to cover amusement park rides. But there’s no guarantee that the additional regulation would much improve safety. Mechanical glitches, flawed ride designs, operator errors, and rider horseplay could still cause serious or deadly accidents.

The amusement ride injury lawyers at Denena Points, PC emphasize that safety still rests in part with the rider. Be aware of safety concerns when you go to an amusement park. Read and obey posted warnings and instructions, as well as park or ride operator verbal announcements. Avoid any rides that look dilapidated or where the operator looks inattentive. Obey age, height, and medical restrictions. And don’t drink alcohol or engage in horseplay on or around the rides.

Learn how to keep your family safe on amusement park roller coasters. Download our free guide to roller coaster safety.