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In general, yes, amusement park rides are completely safe. Face it, you have a better chance of getting injured on the way to the amusement park than at the park itself. So why do so many people have reservations about going on these rides, yet don't think twice about sitting in their cars? I can think of two significant factors.

The first is the illusion of control. In an amusement park ride, your control is next to zero. You go where the ride tells you to, at the speed it determines, and for as long as it wants (unless you happen to throw up on the operator). Whereas you feel like you fully control your car. You steer it, step on the brake when you need to, and pull over and get out when you have to. However the ride, for the most part, is in a controlled environment. There are few external factors that can effect the outcome of your participation. Your car? Sudden rain diminishes your traction and visibility, increasing your likelihood of losing your beloved control. And if you don't, that person coming in the other direction might.

The second is the "glamor" of the amusement park accident. When they occur, they become significant local or even national news. No detail is left uncovered. The name of the ride, the extent of the injury, the ensuing polls of "Do you think amusement park rides are safe?". Thanks to this exposure, all those images and descriptions have a tendency to stick out in your head. Of course, what they fail to inform you is that the reason it is front page news is because it doesn't happen all that often. A similar comparison is that of a plane crash. If a plane crashed and you had a flight booked the next week, you probably wouldn't feel too safe (maybe even cancel your flight). Meanwhile that crash was the equivalent of the aviation lottery. The chances of it happening were so incredibly remote, but it doesn't mean that it won't. Car crashes? Forget it. You only care if it will delay your commute.

If by now you're still wary of stepping onto the "Demon Death Drop", then at least you can feel better knowing there are ways to improve your odds. First, look at the ride and ask yourself about the implications of something going wrong. If something went wrong on the 120-foot drop roller coaster, then you should probably hope for good life insurance. The "Tunnel of Love" on the other hand, would probably lead to your pants being a little wet. Second, look at where you are. Is it in the best interest of the owner to ensure you live to tell about your experience? It would hardly be good publicity for Disney World or Six Flags to have a customer lose an arm. So you can bet those bolts will be screwed on extra tight. A traveling carnival that will be out of town in two days? Might want to get that plate number.

In the end, amusement park rides are a lot safer than many of the things that we choose to do on a daily basis. Just don't believe the hype of when things go wrong. Just strap in and enjoy the ride. And please don't throw up, this is a new shirt.

Learn more about this author, Steven Machado.
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