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Kentucky Senate Passes Bill to Tighten Rules on Amusement Park Rides

March 13, 2008

Potential fines would increase tenfold and the age of amusement park ride operators would rise under a bill the Kentucky Senate has passed unanimously.

The action follows an accident at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom last year in Louisville that severed a girl’s feet.

The bill would raise the maximum fine the state Department of Agriculture could levy on a park to $10,000, increased from $1,000. It would also require ride operators to be at least 18.

Two teenagers under 18 were operating the Superman Tower of Power on June 21 when a cable broke and severed the feet of 14-year-old Kaitlyn Lasitter.

The Courier-Journal reports that Kentucky Kingdom officials said last week they strongly oppose the age requirement and contend the ability to operate a ride lies in training and not in age.

Kaitlyn Lasitter’s father, Randy Lasitter, told the newspaper letting someone under 18 operate such complex rides gives them “too much responsibility.”

The legislation is Senate Bill 203.

Information from: The Courier-Journal,
http://www.courier-journal.com

Topics Politics

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Latest Comments

  • August 21, 2008 at 2:00 am
    Ken Hunter says:
    18..are you kidding me? Operating equipment like that needs someone at least 25 that has the same focus as a military pilot and nearly as much training to insure safety in ope... read more
  • March 13, 2008 at 4:35 am
    Yup..Yup..Yup says:
    ..And have all their teeth and a wardrobe that consisted of something other than coveralls... Oh yeah... and not have been convicted of a crime in the past 3 years... If they ... read more
  • March 13, 2008 at 1:24 am
    Safety Man says:
    Almost every state requires an employee to be 18 before they can operate any kind of mechanized equipment. Is it too much to ask for an amusement ride operator to be 18 if the... read more

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