H.R. 3032

What seemed like at harmless couple of letters and numbers just happened to be the official name of the bill introduced by Ed Markey to the House of Representatives. Markey, a Democratic Representative from Massachusetts, first explained this ride restriction law to Congress in 1999. It didn't get publicity until this past season, though. The law would allow the Consumer Product Safety Commission to restrict and inspect rides, both carnival and permanent. Markey claims G's over 4.0 are dangerous. Currently, the bill has stalled in the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection. Caseworkers say he is still actively pursuing the passing of this law, while us enthsiasts hold our breath. No one is exactly certain what the passing of this law would do, but it wouldn't bode well for the Amusement Park industry. However, it would be unfair to single out Markey. 53 other co-sponsoring representatives have since joined the bandwagon. You can view the list of those people here.

Delays, Delays and more Delays!

Ths past season, Six Flags struggled with opening their rides at the same time of their respective parks. New technologies needed their kinks worked out, and it drove some impatient enthusiasts up the wall. The much maligned DeJavu's, dubbed "DelayJavu" by some, opened very late in the seasons of their parks. Batwing and X-Flight didn't open with ther parks, due to the fact that the lifts wouldn't properly recline their trains. Their delays were much shorter than DeJavu. The worst delay of all was X. The world's first 4-D coaster was hampered by more than one problem, and it almost didn't carry any customers in 2001. It opened Christmas Eve to Six Flags Magic Mountain passholders. The "official" opening is January 12th. Although the delays were painstaking, almost all agree; The delays were worth it. The rides are outstanding additions to their parks, and will be favorites for years to come.

Accidents

Accidents are something we never like to hear about, but they're prominent in life, no where it is. Amusement Parks were plauged by accidents throughout 2001. These events had coaster enthusiasts asking "When will this all end?" Here is a list of accidents put together through news archives in newspapers.

May 3rd- A fire on board a coaster at Germany's Phantasaland injures 50, and causes $13 million in damages.

May 13th- A woman falls from a 150 foot tall Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois.

May 14th- A tree at Disneyland falls on guests waiting in the queue line, injuring 20.

June 3rd- A woman dies on Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain. It is later determined her cause of death was a brain aneurysm.

June 14th- A groundskeeper at Lake Compounce is struck and killed by Boulder Dash during test runs.

June 20th- A 20 year old dies after a crash on Treetops Twister, a Wild Mouse coaster at Lightwater Valley in Great Britain. 3 others were injured when the brakes failed on this ride.

June 26th- Two suffer minor injuries on Rhino Rally at Busch Gardens Tampa. The Land Rover rolled over during the ride.

July 10th- A fair worker in Fisher, Illionis is killed after being crushed by a part of Wipeout he was greasing.

July 22nd- Brakes fail on Firestorm at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. The accident injured 8 guests.

July 26th- Yankee Cannonball, a 71 year old coaster at Lake Canobie in New Hampshire, skipped the station and collided with a train on the lift. None were seriously hurt.

July 30th- Chaos at Michigan's Adventure collapses after coming off it's central axle. 26 were injured and released.

August 5th- Superman:Ride Of Steel at Six Flags New England crashes into a loading train, injuring 8. It was later determined that a ruptured Air Supply Tank caused the crash.

August 16th- A woman riding Monkey Business, a tea cup ride at Six Flags Marine World, dies of bleeding in the brain after 2 days in the hospital.

September 2nd- A woman dies ater having a seizure on Montezooma's Revenge at Knott's Berry Farm.

September 10th- A 7 year old boy dies after a traveling fair roller coaster comes to a sudden stop in York, Pennsylvania. His "inferior vena cava"(vein that carries blood to the lower body) was lacerated.

September 21st- A 40 year old woman dies on Perilous Plunge at Knott's Berry Farm. She fell out of the ride to her death.

October 14th- The Beast at Paramount's Kings Island hops the wet skid brakes, crashing at a small speed. 7 were injured.

So, not everything was peachy in 2001. We must move on with a positive attitude and outlook for the upcoming season. Here's to an adrenaline and fun-filled 2002 that is accident free!

Discuss the 2001 season here.