Stupidity + Roller Coasters= TOTAL IDIOCY

We have idiots that are "concerned" about the safety of riders on the roller coasters, when less then 20 people will die from an amusement accident each year. They need to pull their head out of there butt and instead of making a law limiting g forces, make a law limiting drunk drivers. They kill more in one day then roller coasters kill in one year.

Last I checked........wasn't there a law against driving drunk already? Hmmm......

Moving on......yes, I agree that extremists always have to try to ruin fun for everyone else. Remember, these are the same "watchgroups" that are trying to censor what we watch on TV or what we hear on the radio. Mindless bigotry and ignorance comes in all shapes and sizes, and they always have a "cause" to defend.

I meant a tougher law on drunk driving...

I tHInk that people should let teh ride makers worry about the safety because they know more than any of us do about that issue.

Actually, coasterkid16, you should look into what Maryland has instituted for drunk driving laws. You may find that there are quite a number of tough laws on drunk driving. I think that influential people need to look into nonamusement park attractions ie carnivals, fairs and the like, and work on that area. That area is in need of work certainly. It's more financially feasible for more people to flock to carnivals and fairs because the costs are much lower typically than amusement parks; however, the rides at these places are pretty shady. One of the many reasons. Plus, considering that occassionally influential people do come to this site and others, ie people in the media, in the government, or doing studies, perhaps it would be more effective for our cause concerning unnecessarily strict strongholds on amusement parks if we matured the language a bit. Just a thought from my observations amongst the channels and rooms here. ;-)

What is needed, perhaps, is something like what Pennsylvannia has: a rider responsibility law.

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Don't forget "Operation Graduation" June 1st @ SRM - bring Pat Koch a graduation card! See Coasterbuzz News for details.

Mamoosh,

What is the rider responsibility law?

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Bob Hansen

A proud CoasterBuzz Member

"So you think your'e really brave, gonna see the DEMONS cave.
You silly dude, your'e only food, for the DEMON"

Bob - I don't know the exact wording but I've seen signs at Kennywood that state the law. It basically says if you don't follow the park rules and you're injured you can't sue. Perhaps someone out there [Rideman?] can enlighten us?

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Don't forget "Operation Graduation" June 1st @ SRM - bring Pat Koch a graduation card! See Coasterbuzz News for details.

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Rider responsibility Laws generally require that riders agree to pay attention, follow posted rules and use good judgment when riding any rides. Several states have these laws including Ohio and typically a sign is displayed near the ride that says something to the effect that by getting on the ride, the rider agrees to obey warnings,safety measures, etc.

*** This post was edited by Lawhergirl on 5/23/2002. ***

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coasterkid16 said:
"We have idiots that are "concerned" about the safety of riders on the roller coasters, when less then 20 people will die from an amusement accident each year.

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Sounds like a great statistic UNLESS you happen to be one of the 20 or so people who will die or be seriously injured. I am not sure that everyone who is "concerned" with rider safety should be deemed to be an idiot. With any activity, there will be those who seek to use "safety" as a platform for hearing themselves talk. Yet rider safety is and should be a concern for anyone who enjoys coasters. just a thought

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No one here wants the rides to be unsafe, but I think the original post was with regards to putting things in perspective. Do we really need more government agencies to do what the industry already does pretty well itself? If you pay taxes my guess is your answer is "no."

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"As far as I can tell it doesn't matter who you are. If you can believe, there's something worth fighting for..." - Garbage, "Parade"

Can't remember the exact wording, but I'll get to see the signs again real soon....HW signs say something along the lines of "all leisure sporting activities involve a certain level of risk....". IMO, the sign says it all....if you're unwilling to assume the minimal level of risk, then go ride an elevator.....

Do you really want to know what Pennsylvania has??? Do you really want to read all of this? Okay, here goes. The following is posted near the entrance(s) of all Pennsylvania amusement parks:

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Pennsylvania Act No. 1994-58
Amusement Rider Safety and Liability Act

SECTION 3. RIDER'S RESPONSIBILITY.
(A) Responsibilities. - A rider is responsible for obeying the posted rules or oral instructions of amusement rides and shall abide by the following:

(1) A rider may not board or dismount from an amusement ride except at a designated area if one is provided.

(2) A rider may not throw or expel any object or matter from an amusement ride.

(3) A rider may not act in any manner contrary to posted and oral rules while boarding, riding on or dismounting from any amusement ride.

(4) A rider may not engage in any reckless act or activity which may tend to injure himself or others.

(5) While using amusement rides that require steering or control of himself or a car device, every rider shall maintain reasonable control of his speed and course at all times. A rider shall not steer the ride in such a manner as to intentionally harm another person.

(6) A rider may not disconnect, disable, or attempt to disconnect, disable any safety device, seat belt, harness or other restraining device before, during or after movement of the ride has started except at the express instruction of the operator.

(7) A rider may not disembark or attempt to disembark from any amusement ride before, during or after movement of a ride has started except upon the express instruction of the operator.

(8) A rider may not board or attempt to board any amusement ride if he is under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance as decined in the act of April 14, 1972 (P. L. 233, No. 64) known as the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.

(9) A rider may not alter or enhance the intended speed, course or direction of a ride by using any unauthorized device, instrument or method.

(10) A rider 14 years of age or older embarking on a ride after failing to pay appropriate consideration for its use, when required by amusement park rules and regulations, shall be considered to be a trespasser.

(11) A rider shall not attempt to gain access to controls of an amusement ride designed solely to be operated by employees of amusement parks.

FAILURE TO COMPLY IS CAUSE FOR DISMISSAL FROM THE PARK WITHOUT REFUND.

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Lest you miss it, the sign is about 8' tall by about 3' wide. The text above was read straight from a photograph I have of such a sign at Waldameer Park, but the sign is standard all over the state.

Ohio's code is much simpler; the full text of Ohio's Rider Responsibility Law is shorter than the Pennsylvania sign. ORC Sec. 1711.551 reads as follows:

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(A) No rider shall fail to do any of the following:

(1) Heed all written warnings and directions that require a person to meet certain conditions or to refrain from certain actions regarding an amusement ride, as determined by rule by the director of agriculture;

(2) Refrain from behaving or acting in any manner that may cause injury or contribute to injuring himself or other people while occupying an amusement ride.

(B) The director, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall adopt, and may amend and rescind, rules governing the types of warnings and directions required to be followed pursuant to this section. Rules adopted by the director determining the types of printed warnings and directions shall include specifications as to the character, size, and print size of such warnings and directions. At a minimum, the rules shall require the following:

(1) The warnings and directions prominently disclose the penalties imposed if a rider violates section 1711.551 [1711.55.1] of the Revised Code;

(2) The warnings and directions be based upon the standards of ASTM or the American national standards institute, or any other principles, tests, or standards of nationally recognized technical or scientific authorities that research the proper use of each amusement ride and the potential injuries that occur or are unique to each amusement ride if it is used improperly;

(3) The owner of the amusement ride display the warnings and directions in a public and conspicuous place on or near the ride.

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Of course the exact sign says only that riders must obey all signs and instructions and that violators are guilty of a 4th degree misdemeanor.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

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rollergator said:
Can't remember the exact wording, but I'll get to see the signs again real soon....HW signs say something along the lines of "all leisure sporting activities involve a certain level of risk....". IMO, the sign says it all....if you're unwilling to assume the minimal level of risk, then go ride an elevator.....

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I would bet elevators are more dangerous than coasters.

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kingbob said:
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rollergator said:
Can't remember the exact wording, but I'll get to see the signs again real soon....HW signs say something along the lines of "all leisure sporting activities involve a certain level of risk....". IMO, the sign says it all....if you're unwilling to assume the minimal level of risk, then go ride an elevator.....

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I would bet elevators are more dangerous than coasters.

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You are wrong elevators are very safe. If the cable snaps brakes halt it very quickly. And as far as drunk drivers go you cant stop people from breaking the law you can only encourage them from breaking it. No matter how many inspections anythings goes through still SH*T can happen wether it be car, planes, and othe things. There is no coaster thats perfectly safe so their is a little danger there but thats what make me ride them. I don't mean to sound like Markey cuz I hate him too.

sorry, the "elevator reference" was from Stan Checketts: (standard paraphrasing warning)...."I can design a ride that everyone will ride, but that's called an elevator and is NOT an amusement ride"....

Well, I know at least 90% of coaster deaths are riders not following the rules. Like Goliath's death. The woman had medical probs! I could name a thousand deaths/injurys because of riders not followin' da rulez. And yah, I know Ohio has a law on rider responsibilty because they have signs at Cedar Point that not only say you may not sue but it is a MISDEMEANOR not to follow the rules. So add jail/fine to injury. I think every state needs this law.

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Why do they report power outages on TV?

*** This post was edited by S00perGIR on 5/23/2002. ***

I wholly understand about how to the 20 or so people that die on a roller coaster, but I COMPLETELY beleive that there are bigger fish to fry. Why don't they try treating an epidemic instead of a small outbreak. I just beleive the people that are attacking roller coasters need to get a life and a get a clue, they aren't even 1/10000 as they are making them seem. When was the last time a roller coaster bragged about being the most dangerous!? Back in the twenties when people were really stupid! Now if a coaster had a history of breaking necks, giving back injuries and brain problems it would be torn down.

Plus the fact every single roller coaster I've been on has that warning "If you have brain, back or neck problems you are not allowed to ride" I beleive most people ignore them, I don't!

And why shouldn't you ignore the signs? What do you see on every ride in the park? "You should expect a forceful turbulent ride with strong up-and down and side-to-side forces, rapid accelerations, and/or changes in speed and elevation. People with back, neck, or bone injury should not ride." Where do you see those warnings? On every single ride in the park. No matter what the ride is, the warnings are exactly the same. Cedar Point has taken it to a new low this season; now every ride has on it...several times in some cases...a warning about how all restraints have to be properly positioned and secured. Even on rides which have no restraints at all. The signs are bombarding you with absolutely worthless information. What good is the warning if the warning is meaningless? If I know from experience that the warning does not apply to all rides, how do I know which ones it applies to when it appears on all rides?

--Dave Althoff, Jr.