Mission, Goals & Guiding Principles

Mission

Saferparks is a public service organization dedicated to preventing amusement ride injuries through research, information sharing, and advocacy.

Saferparks seeks to understand the causes of preventable amusement ride accidents and injuries, and effectively communicate that information to interested consumers, industry members, and governments.
Saferparks advocates on behalf of consumers in setting standards and regulations that protect the public safety, with special focus on vulnerable populations, primarily children.

Collaboration and information management are central to Saferparks' mission. Relevant data, experience, and opinions are drawn from a variety of sources and fields, analyzed and integrated, and shared through a publicly accessible website.

Goals

Improve public access to information affecting consumer safety.
- Create a centralized database and online community where publicly-available information related to amusement ride safety can be collected, analyzed and shared as an aid in prevention.
- Develop and implement a public education plan, with special focus on vulnerable populations such as young children, to educate consumers about the causes and prevention of ride-related injuries.
Create a strong voice for consumer interests in legislative and regulatory forums, and in development of safety standards for amusement rides and devices.
Work cooperatively with the amusement ride industry to create effective child safety standards for amusement rides.
Close the regulatory gaps that leave U.S. amusement rides unregulated in some states and subject to only minimal licensing requirements in other states. Eliminate legislative loopholes that allow theme parks in states like Florida and Texas to police their own serious accidents.
Expand Saferparks' programs and outreach globally to encompass other interested governments, NGOs, and international organizations working in the area of amusement ride safety.

Guiding Principles

Teamwork
Saferparks believes in a team approach to safety. An effective accident prevention system requires effort and attention from industry, consumers, safety officials, legislators, consumer organizations, and the press.
Accountability
Saferparks believes that an enforceable system of accountability measures must be put into place if consumers are to make informed decisions about the safety of commercially-operated amusement rides.
Communication
Saferparks believes that improved communication between industry, consumers, and safety officials will lead to a reduction in ride-related injuries. Information on ride-related failures must be collected, analyzed, and shared in order to formulate effective prevention strategies. Public education, aimed at consumers, legislators, and regulators, is a key component of Saferparks' mission.
Special Protections for Children
Saferparks believes that amusement rides marketed to young children should be designed and operated to ensure that there are adequate layers of protection between the child and serious safety hazards. In cases where physical protections are not provided, parents should be informed about the specific hazards children may face on that ride.
Shared Responsibility
Saferparks believes that industry, consumers, and regulators share responsibility for rider safety, and should be held accountable for their actions and decisions.