On Thrill Rides, Safety Is Optional

Hey, I’m not opposed to the well-run outfits, but even the most-professionally run parks have had some problems. What really scares me to death are the traveling carnivals that set up in mall parking lots, at county fairs, and such. I worked on a case years ago involving a machine called the “Gravitron” at a state fair. It broke apart and spun kids all over the midway. Seems the carny who assembled the ride had not followed the set-up procedure in the instruction manual…then we learned during his deposition that the carny could not read.

Why such little safety oversight by the government? Follow the money (see the industry’s lobbying efforts described on page 3 of the article).

If you’re interested, this consumer safety organization deserves a look.