Roller Coaster Death Spotlights Patchwork of US Ride Safety Regulations

The recent death of a man ejected from a Six Flags roller coaster in Georgia has brought renewed attention to the safety of amusement park rides, many of which have become increasingly faster and steeper in pursuit of greater thrills.

Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, was killed when he was thrown from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia. The ride, which features a 200-foot drop and reaches speeds of 70 mph, has been in operation for two decades. Following the incident, Six Flags temporarily closed nine similar coasters across North America as a precaution. The ride manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard, stated it is investigating the incident.

In the United States, amusement park rides at major parks are not federally regulated, with oversight falling to individual states. This has resulted in a varied regulatory landscape, with some states implementing strict rules and others having minimal oversight.

U.S. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts has previously introduced legislation aimed at closing a federal loophole that allows the Consumer Product Safety Commission to regulate mobile rides but not stationary ones at large amusement parks. Amusement ride safety experts, such as Brian Avery, a professor at the University of Florida, agree that more federal regulations are necessary to ensure adequate training, compliance, and monitoring of rides.

Georgia's Office of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner is conducting a comprehensive review of the incident. Amusement park operators typically adhere to industry-set ASTM standards, which cover aspects like ride design, construction, and rider G-force limits. These standards are supported by multiple layers of inspection, including those conducted by park operators and pressure from insurance carriers.

Industry trade groups state that the risk of serious injury on U.S. amusement park rides is very low, estimated at 1 in 15.5 million rides. Roller coaster experts note that designs like the Goliath's, which uses a redundant lap restraint system, are generally dependable. The operator's system also includes a check that prevents dispatch unless all restraints are confirmed to be locked.

However, incidents do occur. In 2022, a teenager died after falling from an Orlando amusement park ride when his harness did not lock properly. In 2013, a woman died after slipping out of her seat on a Six Flags ride in Texas; the park subsequently enhanced its restraints and added size-checking measures at the ride's entrance.

Experiences at Six Flags Over Georgia indicate that staff check restraints on the Goliath before each ride, with employees verifying that restraints are locked. State regulations for ride oversight vary significantly. California's Department of Industrial Relations approves new and modified rides and conducts annual inspections, or relies on owner inspections. In contrast, Florida exempts its largest theme parks from state safety inspections, with these parks conducting their own protocols but reporting injuries or deaths to the state. Texas relies on inspections by private inspectors hired by park operators or their insurance companies. Arizona lacks a state agency for ride regulation, requiring only annual private inspections with enforcement largely by local government.