U.S. Amusement Ride Safety Agencies

Federal Safety Oversight

Federal safety officials track and correct hazard patterns on portable amusement rides that could affect other rides across the country. Thrill rides operated at permanent amusement parks are exempt from all federal safety oversight.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (portable rides only).

State Safety Oversight

State oversight of amusement rides varies widely. Some jurisdictions require owner/operators to purchase liability insurance. Some jurisdictions also perform public safety functions, such inspecting rides and investigating accidents. Some states allow thrill rides to operate without any rules or oversight.

Comparison of ride safety regulations in all 50 states
For more detailed information, select a state:

Safety Regulation for Top U.S. Amusement Parks

72% of customers who visit America's top 10 amusement parks - 64 million people - are riding on self-regulated rides. That means no government ride inspections or investigations of serious accidents, not even when a customer dies. Top Amusement Parks by Attendance
73% of customers who visit America's top 15 water parks - 9 million people - are riding on self-regulated water rides. Top Water Parks by Attendance
Disney, Universal/NBC, and Anheuser-Busch benefit most from the regulatory exemptions granted by Congress and state legislatures.
- 75% of Disney parks, 75% of Universal Studios parks, and 56% of Busch parks are self-regulated, compared with 7% for Cedar Fair parks and 15% for Six Flags parks. Top Amusement Park Chains

Database / U.S. Amusement Ride Safety Agencies

Federal Safety Oversight

State Safety Oversight

Safety Regulation for Top U.S. Amusement Parks