Statistically speaking, the most dangerous part of a trip to any amusement park is the commute to and from your home. The number of accidents involving amusement park rides pales in comparison to the number of traffic deaths reported by insurance companies. Because roller coasters carry large groups of people, any accident may become a widely-reported news story, much like crashes involving commercial airliners. Few roller coasters have catastrophic failures, but when it does happen the injury and fatality numbers can be significant. This has led to the perception that roller coasters are inherently dangerous.
In reality, roller coasters and passenger cars have a lot in common from a safety standpoint. Both have been tested in computer simulations and in actual crash tests. Both feature advanced restraint systems, with roller coasters having even more emphasis on passenger restraint. Many modern roller coasters even have a third wheel which holds the cars securely to the track from below. In fact, passenger cars present more of a hazard to occupants with all of the glass and heavy metal components. Roller coasters in general have received just as much attention from safety engineers as any vehicle on the road today.
What separates roller coasters from passenger cars is comfort features. A passenger car can reach speeds of 75 mph or more, but the occupants don't feel frightened. Cars may encounter sharp turns or sudden drops, but again the occupants barely feel the difference in g forces. A roller coaster, on the other hand, removes all of these shock absorbers and environmental controls. The same 75 mph speed now feels much more intense as the wind whips through the coaster. Banked turns jolt the rider without the cushioning of shock absorbers. Steep hills cause coaster riders to rise out of their seats or be pressed into them. Since the passengers have no way to brake or steer, they will feel more helpless.
Roller coaster designers spend many hours 'riding' their newest rides in sophisticated computer programs long before the first piece of track is ordered. Engineers can calculate the amount of g force a rider would experience every foot of the way. Other factors such as banking angles and speed are considered before a new design is approved. If a particular turn or hill proves to be too steep or the potential for whiplash-style injuries is indicated, the ride will be redesigned again and again. Restraints are tested to make sure they can accommodate a range of passengers. Secondary braking systems are always incorporated into roller coasters. Computers track each set of cars as they roll from the platform and can activate emergency brakes at the first sign of trouble.
The main reason accidents occur on roller coasters is mechanical failure, not design. Maintenance workers at the amusement park perform visual inspections of their rides every morning, but some damage is not easily seen. Metal tracks can experience fatigue after years of constant operation, so a few accidents have occurred as a result of actual track failure. Braking systems have been known to lose a critical part due to the excessive forces of the ride during operation. If such a failure occurs while one car is unloading and another enters the station, a major incident can happen. Fortunately, brake failures and other mechanical problems are very rare occurances in parks with good maintenance procedures and regular inspections. Temporary carnival rides may be more problematic than established roller coasters because of unenforced inspection laws.
Amusement park owners are in the business of attracting customers, especially those who seek the latest thrills. Roller coasters are major draws, so from a marketing standpoint it makes sense to play up the 'dangerous' elements of a popular roller coaster. Old wooden coasters are often made to appear much more rickety than they actually are. As visitors see these roller coasters in action, they may want to experience the same thrills as the riders or prove to themselves they are indeed willing to take risks.
If roller coasters were promoted as 100% safe, repeat business might suffer. As long as the illusion of danger is present, riders can enjoy both the rush of the ride and the relief of knowing they came back alive.
