Markey at it again, giving numbers and no evidence
Posted
Like your roller coasters? Representative Ed Markey wants to protect you from the horrible brain injuries you could sustain on the rides. He's concerned about your children, and knows better than you what kind of physical activity you should participate in. His latest report indicates that more than half of his "injury inventory" is from unpublished incidents (i.e., no proof or research). So even though your chance of dying on an amusement ride is 0.0000002% (according to IAAPA), Markey would again like to dictate guidelines to keep you safe.
Read more Markey malarkey on his site.
You can also read Jim Fisher's editorial on the flaws of the Consumer Product Safety Commission's report, as well as my open (and ignored) letter to Markey regarding his pointless pursuit.
Let's see, 58 cases, 22 of them published. Millions and millions of rides, per year, every year.
Oh, the horror!
You've got a FAR better chance of getting injured in a plane, train, or automobile crash. Heck, I was rear-ended on Sunday coming home from SFWoA (no damage to my car, fortunately, which was the lead car (stopped at a light) in a 4-car chain. The back two cars, especially the one that didn't stop and set off the whole thing, didn't fare so well)
-----------------
--Greg
"Are you justified in taking life to save life?" -- The Great Debate, Dream Theater
My page
One time, an employee of SFA was on his way to work and was killed in a car crash. If you started in one place and ended up at some other far destination, (or if you were actually "going" somewhere) a rollercoaster would be the safest form of transportation. LOL wouldn't that be cool if public transportation was rollercoasters!
-----------------
So...you can't handle a rollercoaster huh? Well...you ARE the Weakest Link! Goodbye!
Number 1 Batwing Fan!
Here is the link to Ed Markey's homepage if you would like to write him and comment on his pointless cause.
-----------------
Bob Hansen
A proud CoasterBuzz Member
"We are not responsible for anything the Demon takes or breaks"
I looked at the list of injuries on Markey's website, and I was surprised to see such a wide range of coasters. Some of them are the newest, largest, or most intense coasters but many of them are smaller or older coasters that have a long history of existence. This seems to contradict the idea that higher g-forces of newer coasters are the problem. The list of injuries implies that any coaster is a potential problem. Perhaps they all should be banned :) Really though, it seems to show that some people have preexisting conditions, whether they know it or not, that can be exaccerbated by an event such as riding a coaster, or any number of other more or less turbulent events for that matter.
-----------------
He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking; can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding.
-----------------
2002 - the year of IB's LoCoSuMo!!
What's NOT cool is now New Jersey is going to be the first state (meaning there may be others) to actually have a limit on the number of G-Forces that will be allowed on thrill rides.
What would they do with current rides that exceed the maximum amount?
It's uncanny and totally unbelievable that this guy is actually in the White House wasting our tax dollars on his salary and his so-called "investigation" on these thrill-ride accidents.
-----------------
2002 - the year of IB's LoCoSuMo!!
"What would they do with current rides that exceed the maximum amount."
Traditionally in these cases the devices that exceed the policed standards are not affected by the new law. But this is all a tad ludicrice.
I don't necessarily agree with comparing Roller Coaster saftey to riding in a car on the freeway... of course it's going to be safer. But what about other forms of entertainment? I would bet that sitting on the beach is more dangerous than getting in a roller coaster. I would bet that ice skating and roller blading have caused more injuries per capita.
Roller coasters are safe. The industry is dedicated to saftey (it's in their best interest after all). The representiive is out of his mind to even suggest that a standard might be necessary.
Hey Den,
Markey's home zip code w/ 4digits is: 02155-3800
Looked it up on the US Postal site....
Flame away....:)
-----------------
Vote Jose Rijo for President
The one where the state, city, park, ride, date, and injury are all listed as UNKNOWN. Good research there guys.
The second best was location of "Tampa and France" and the date was "5/21-28, 31/97." They can't even narrow the fault down to a continent or a week.
I would like to comment more, but I think my time would be better spent writing to Markey. (And I hope you do the same!)
-----------------
Joel Rogers
www.CoasterGallery.com
*** This post was edited by CaptainJoel on 5/9/2002. ***
Feel sorry for the people of the state if the politicians in Jersery are falling for such fuzzy numbers.
-----------------
June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
VertiGo Rides - 82 - Farewell my good friend..
S&S WILL rise again... ;)
All I have to say is that I'm ashamed to come from Massachusetts with this gentleman respesenting me. I'm actaully not from his district (thank God). What I like best is how SFNE proved how unnecessary federal regulation is when they allowed Agawam town officials on site and gave them an extensive tour of Superman and other rides' safety mechanisms. Agawam officials were very impressed by SFNE's safety standards and the park's ability to regulate itself. Amazing, huh?
-----------------
Erik Johnson
Theme Park New England
Save Whalom Park!
You must be logged in to post
