what's the risk of a roller coaster crashing?

Question

i really want to go to six flags with friends, but my mom saw that story about the girl who's legs got chopped off in the superman ride this monday, so yeah i need facts to convince her to let me go!!

Answer 1

First off, I have to disagree with Trevathekilla on the fact that Cedar Point has never had an accident and a coaster will not come off it's tracks. Both facts are wrong.
Cedar Point recently had a minor accident (which was no fault on the park) where one of the trains on Magnum XL200 missed a brake run and bumped another train in the station. Only a few minor injuries. The train missed the brakes due to water from rain the night prior.
And about trains not coming off their track? Wrong again. Recently a coaster at Kings Island had the back of a train hop the track during a ride. I don't believe there were any injuries.

Either way, amusement park rides are pretty safe in comparison to riding in cars. Yes, accidents do happen (check www.rideaccidents.com for information about amusement park and carnival accidents), but for the most park, they are rare. And you'll hear news on accidents at carnivals more than you will with amusement parks.

What happened with the girl last week was the result of a FREAK accident that ended up very tragic (on a good note though, according to news reports, her parents say she is in good condition, although no other news about if they were able to reattach her feet are known). I've been on drop towers before and feel very safe on them. Parks inspect their rides daily, maybe not all, but all are inspected regularly.
I say anyone who fews amusement parks because of a few accidents should rethink riding in cars. There are more accidents on the road daily than there are at amusement parks. Good luck and I hope you get to go!

Answer 2

The chance of a roller coaster crashing is basically none. There are block sections on a coaster that insure safety. Basically as one train passes by a block section, the computer recognizes this and knows it is safe to send off another train. The block sections have breaks so that if something does happen, the train can be stopped. Most accidents are due to unknown heart conditions, but some, like with the girl on the drop ride, are freak accidents. Yes they are bad, but VERY rare. In the history of B&M that was founded in the late 1980's, they have experienced NO roller coaster accidents. There is more of a chance of hurting yourself riding a bike or in a car then being involved in a roller coaster accident.

Answer 3

The chance is slim, but the danger is still there. I would not be scared though because most of the time the roller coaster would get stuck in the air if something went wrong. I love riding roller coasters so I may be biased, but 90% of the time, roller coasters are safe.

Answer 4

the only reason why it was so huge was because it is so rare. ive only been to one six flags but it was safe. cedar point has NEVER in its history had any accidents. and if you are on a roller coaster the coaster will not come off of the track.

you will be fine, go as if you were going 2 weeks ago before the accident. you wouldnt have worried then.

Answer 5

It depends which sixflags you're going to. Usually, Sixflags is a very safe amusement park. They do inspections every now and then. Particuarly, the one in Kentucky had problems. Look up the Sixflags in your area. And heres some advice: Stay away from Kentucky's Sixflags. =)

Answer 6

Millions of people ride amusement park ride, a few are hurt or killed every year. you're safer at an amusement park than you are when you ride a horse, ride a bike, or play a sport.

Answer 7

I really do not like it when news like this happens people are afarid to go on rides then. I will make this clear they are all safe rides. Follow all safety rules and you will be fine.

Answer 8

theres always the chance but i say 1.1,000,000,000