Are you ready to scream? For those who love roller coasters, the answer is always yes! But for parents and other cautious types, the idea of hurtling through the air on a steel track that’s suspended above the ground can seem like a risky proposition. After all, anyone who’s ever watched an ambulance drive away from a theme park knows that accidents happen and people get hurt. Are roller coasters safe? The general consensus is that they are when they’re built and operated by professionals who follow established safety guidelines. However, there are some things you need to know before you pass through those iron gates and buy your ticket…
Are Roller Coasters Safe?
The answer to this question is yes, however, there are some precautions that need to be taken when riding a roller coaster. Not everyone should ride them and there are some health issues that need to be addressed before riding one of these rides. A person needs to know their own limitations and if they have any medical conditions that may cause them problems while riding one of these rides, they should not ride it.
How Are Roller Coasters Built Safely?
- They are built with a lot of safety precautions. They have an automatic shut-off feature that comes into play whenever the water level goes below a certain point. They have sensors that detect heat and turn off the heater if the water gets too hot. Some have a lift function that can be activated if you ever need to get out but can’t do so on your own. Most of them come with remote control for convenience. Some have seat belts and some don’t. You can choose whichever you feel comfortable with.
- They have secure harnesses that are fastened around your waist and legs. The harness keeps you in the seat even if you do get scared and try to jump out. It also ensures that your body is secured in the seat during the ride to prevent any injury or death due to falling out of the coaster as a result of bumps or jerks during the ride.
- They have a safety bar that secures your upper body so that if something happens, it will not end up being fatal for you or those around you on the coaster.
- the seats are made of material that does not give way when pressure is applied to them. They are made of reinforced material and have a strong steel frame with thick padding so as to ensure maximum comfort for users even when they are seated for long periods at a time, like during long rides on coasters.
- They are made in such a way that they do not have any sharp edges or protrusions that can cause injury in the event of an accident or a mishap. They are smooth and flat so as to ensure maximum comfort at all times.
- The tracks on which the coasters travel are made of strong material that is resistant to wear and tear and can withstand high temperatures. This ensures that the tracks do not give way even after many years of usage and also ensures maximum safety for users at all times.
- They are designed in such a way that they do not have any loose parts like bolts, screws, nuts, rivets, etc. They are designed with precision so as to ensure safety at all times during usage by passengers and also during maintenance by service personnel who may need to repair them from time to time for whatever reason.
- Maintenance is carried out on a regular basis to ensure that everything is working as it should. This also ensures that there is no wear and tear on the coaster.
- The ride is controlled by a computer that controls the speed at which the coaster travels and also controls other factors like timing, lighting, etc.
- They have a broken system in place that stops the ride from moving if for some reason it gets out of control or goes too fast for any reason whatsoever and there is a danger of injury to those on board or any person standing nearby.
- They have hand grips on either side of the seats so as to ensure maximum comfort during long rides on coasters, especially during high-speed rides where you may have to hang onto something for dear life! In case you ever feel unsafe, you can always hold onto these hand grips instead of hanging onto your seatbelt or harness in case you get scared and want to let go.
Other Safety Measures To Be Aware Of
- Head or Neck Injuries – People who fall or are thrown from the roller coaster may suffer head or neck injuries, including spinal cord injuries that result in paralysis or quadriplegia.
- Back Injuries – Roller coasters often cause back injuries such as herniated discs, ruptured discs, and fractured vertebrae when riders are thrown from their seats during an accident.
- Internal Organ Damage – Riders who are thrown from the roller coaster may suffer internal injuries such as ruptured organs and lacerations.
- Death – People have been killed on roller coasters. The most common cause of death is decapitation.
- Burns – Riders are usually seated close to the track, which is made of steel and can become extremely hot during operation. Riders can be burned when they come into contact with the track.
- Amputation – In some cases, riders have been amputated by the roller coaster due to broken restraints or improperly designed restraints that cannot hold onto a rider during an accident.
- Facial Injuries – Falls from a roller coaster can result in facial injuries including broken noses, fractured cheekbones, and deep cuts to the face as well as blindness if an object strikes a rider in the eye area.
- Heart Attack or Stroke – People who ride roller coasters may suffer heart attacks or strokes due to the stress and fear of riding on a roller coaster.
- Death or Injury to Others – Other passengers on the roller coaster may suffer injuries if the roller coaster malfunctions while in operation.
- Wrongful Death – People may die on roller coasters due to negligence on the part of the ride owner or manufacturer.
- Other Roller Coaster Accidents – People can be injured or killed during an accident on a roller coaster. In some cases, riders have been thrown from a roller coaster and hit by another roller coaster or other objects.
- Injuries to Infants and Toddlers – Infants and toddlers are often injured on roller coasters when they become stuck in safety devices such as seat belts, lap bars, and harnesses.
- Other Roller Coaster Accidents – There are many other ways that people can be injured while riding a roller coaster including being struck by another passenger, being hit by debris that falls from the ride or being attacked by an animal that is loose inside the ride.
Conclusion
The amusement park industry is a very big business that generates billions of dollars in revenue annually. It would be difficult to find someone who has never ridden on a ride at an amusement park. Amusement parks are fun places to visit, and they provide a variety of activities that appeal to many different age groups and interests. In order for the amusement park industry to continue to thrive, it is crucial that safety precautions be taken when designing, building, and maintaining rides at these parks. It is important for the general public to understand how safety is ensured through engineering design, inspection procedures, and maintenance practices in order for them to make informed decisions when choosing an amusement park or ride. However, it is also important for the public to be aware of the potential dangers that exist when riding certain rides in order for them to take appropriate precautions when considering whether or not they should participate in these activities.