Amusement Parks: How They Keep You Safe

On Friday, a woman died while riding a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington – a sobering story for anyone who loves amusement parks and thrill rides. Though the cause of the accident is unknown, we do know that amusement parks across the country take precautions to ensure the safety of their patrons. National regulations, frequent inspections, and state laws play a major part. Here are some of the ways that Six Flags and other parks work to keep riders safe – plus some reassuring measures that will help you ride (and rest) easy this summer at your favorite attractions...

Industry-Wide Expectations

Committee F24 of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) sets nationwide amusement park and roller coaster expectations; the committee consists of government officials, amusement park operators, ride engineers, and other industry experts. These industry-wide regulations include manufacturing requirements, regular ride testing, speed regulations, and best practices for safe design. Forty-four of the 50 U.S. states have their own state laws on roller coaster safety, many of which incorporate the F24 guidelines.

Inspections

Roller coasters are tested every day before the parks open to ensure rider safety. Engineers and mechanics check for anything slightly out of order on the tracks, trains, and in the cars, and make any necessary adjustments or repairs. Additionally, the trains are tested daily using bags filled with sand or water to mimic human weight and run at full speed for optimum accuracy. In addition to the daily inspections, many ride manufacturers require additional, more detailed inspections that are completed on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis.

Employee Training

If the image of youthful amusement park employees goofing off on the job makes you nervous, remember that ride operators are trained – and that safety isn't just a matter of park rules and procedure. It's the law. Employees at the nation's 400+ amusement parks all receive training in accordance with the law, and are also required to follow safety procedures that are established by park operators, manufacturers, insurers, and other experts. If you see a park employee that's not following the rules, ask to speak with a supervisor. Safety is in their best interest as well as yours.

Rider Restrictions

Many roller coasters have height restrictions for patrons, or require children to be accompanied by adults. At Six Flags, loose articles like bags are not permitted, and small items like cell phones must be fully secured in zippered pockets. Six Flags also states in their  online that, “Guests with certain body proportions, height and/or weight may not be able to participate on certain rides in the safety restraints will not operate as designed.” Some restrictions may also apply to guests with casts and prosthetic devices, though the exact restrictions vary per ride and theme park.