Injuries

Amusement parks and traveling carnivals offer an exciting escape from everyday life.  They also offer hazards that can, and do, hurt paying customers.  Most amusement rides are safe for most people most of the time.  The industry views that as good news; most accident victims do not.

Although the odds of ride-related injury are low, the extent of injury can be catastrophic.  That is why Saferparks advocates for effective regulatory oversight of all U.S. thrill rides -- not to outlaw them, but to ensure that unwanted side-effects of these rapidly evolving technologies are exposed early, before patrons are killed or seriously injured. Consumers cannot make responsible choices when safety records are hidden from public view.

• U.S. Injury Statistics
• Who is at Risk for Ride-Related Injury?
• Most Commonly Reported Injuries

Various factors contribute to accidents and injuries, but age is, by far, the greatest predictor of risk. Half of all ride-related accidents and three quarters of mid-cycle falls/ejections involve children under the age of 13.