Are Roller Coasters becoming insanely dangerous to ride?

1. 84

   Jacqueline4390posted 9 years ago

   Are Roller Coasters becoming insanely dangerous to ride?
   
   Personally, I've been both fascinated and terrified of Roller Coasters. This is from my childhood. However, now it seems like they have become more and more death defying. Is this a good thing? Should there be a restriction on their construction?
   
   

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2. 61

   Tamirogersposted 9 years ago

   It feels like there are more and more accidents than there used to be! I'm terrified of heights so I don't go near them normally. Maybe this should be a hub and you could do a little research on safety? Just a thought..could be interesting!

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      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks ... I may do just that!

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3. 82

   peachpurpleposted 9 years ago

   It is very dangerous if the roller coaster becomes mulfunction

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      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yep ... if it malfunctions that could be fatal!

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4. 84

   tsmogposted 9 years ago

   Good question. The way I remember it the roller coaster did two things. One it was a 'long ride' and two it thrilled. Seems the more thrilling the shorter the ride. From my knowledge they are pretty much based on free fall, momentum, inertia, centrifugal and centripetal forces. But, recently I have seen where some rides utilize an initial force of acceleration at the beginning, which is greater than free fall.
   
   Those rides then depend on free fall to cause the ride to last longer. For instance at Knotts Berry Farm they have the Xcelerator launching the ride from 0 to 82MPH in 2.3 seconds. The total duration is 1 min & 2 seconds. So, one minute of the ride is slowing down in essence with some free fall taking place adding to the time.

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      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Good answer ... and I think it's the free fall that sends my stomach into spasm mode. Though I must admit it has been years since I was the "dare devil."

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      tsmogposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Me too! I 'watched' most of my family ride that Xclerator one year. Key word 'watched' :-) The rest below the age group were in another part of the park riding their zoom, zoom rides. Same effect. I waited with a family member afraid of Xcelerator.

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   Jay Crihfieldposted 9 years ago

   Six Flags Great America just opened "Goliath" their newest, baddest, tallest, fastest coaster this past summer.  I don't ride those crazy things primarily because I don't like the giant "drop" that starts most of them out, and this one is no exception.  Just from looking at it the initial drop appears to actually roll you past vertical, and the really scary thing is this one goes upside down, but the cars don't have a shoulder harness that drops over your head.  Rather, there's just the lap bar, and someone said there are some "clamps" that actually go around your ankles to hold you in. 
   
   I don't mind some of the high-G, twist and turn roller coasters, and even the ones that go upsidedown don't bother me that much....I just don't like the feeling in my stomach after dropping 200 feet in about 4 seconds or less.

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   1. 84

      Jacqueline4390posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I totally agree! Why not just Bungee Jump with a couple of rubber bands!!
      It seems to leave the Realm of Fun into the Realm of Frightening! Good Comment!!!

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