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Results so far:
| Yes | 72% | 318 votes | Total: 444 votes | |
| No | 28% | 126 votes |
Yes
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Add to FavoritesYes. Millions of people have had positive and safe experiences at amusement parks. Obviously the numbers reflect that the rides are safe, or the multitudes wouldn't visit them. The higher end, more expensive parks seem to be the most popular, undoubtedly due to better construction, maintenance, and personnel.
Not as confidently "yes" are the unsafe looking, really scary amusement parks. You know the the kind ... the little low-budget guys that drift into town for a couple of weeks at a time. These are at a completely different level of comfort. The wailing and shrieking on these rides are not squeals of delight, but the abrupt realizations that the "lowest bidder" got this contract, and the gang member operating the ride just left for his dinner break, leaving the ride completely unattended.
- - The "Tilt a Whirls" are permanently "tilted" with dents and chipped paint everywhere. When gripping the "wheel", you suddenly notice there is a sticky residue that now has attached itself onto your skin.
- - The "House of Fear" is dilapidated, musty and damp, with carts that wobble and jerk you around from start to finish. Everyone emerges flailing their arms in a fruitless attempt to dislodge the dusty cobwebs clinging to their head and shoulders.
- - The midway shills are tattooed, beady eyed, stubbly faced, and glower menacingly at everyone passing by.
Are these rides safe? HHHmmmm ... be afraid ... be very afraid.
Learn more about this author, Pam From Hell.
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No
I have visited several large amusement parks across America and in general i found them to be of high health and safety standards and i agree they are stringently tested before members of the public would be allowed access..
Although, my decision to vote No is because the smaller amusement parks are starting to cut corners and are hiring young people to operate the rides, these teenagers are working for basic wage to earn extra summer cash and aren't old enough to enroll in health and safety courses or have relevant experience dealing in first aid..
Few years ago i was with some friends at a local amusement park, in the queue was a young girl with quite long hair, she was allowed on a ride known as " the big wheel " nobody suggested she tie her hair back in a pony tail, nor did anyone enquire to her age ( she was quite petite and looked young ), i decided not to get on the ride due to the lack of attention the young people controlling the ride were taking to those that were partaking in this particular ride.. The ride came to a halt as the young girl was trapped, her hair was caught, petrified people screaming, the poor girl fainted, causing total pandemonium, the ride controllers just did not have the experience to deal with the situation.. Fire crews were called and the situation was finally brought under control and the girl luckily came through it with some hair loss and shock.
The ride in question was closed for internal investigation for one day, the decision was that the machinery was fine, it was human error that caused the accident...
By all means keep the large completely professional parks open as children and adults alike have a great family day out, but close the little companies trying to cash in on what must seem like easy profit as they aren't safe.
Learn more about this author, Shirley Mcmaster.
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