Ohio spends more than $1 million inspecting rides

7/26/2013

COLUMBUS — Ohio is spending more than $1.1 million this year to inspect amusement park rides and attractions.

The Dayton Daily News reports that the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s amusement ride safety program will inspect more than 3,300 pieces of equipment at more than 600 parks and portable ride companies this year.

The amusement ride safety program calls for annual licensing and inspections of all equipment before the public starts riding, as well as periodic surprise inspections. Seven state inspectors are working this year.

State records show there have been five deaths and 46 accidents on amusement rides in Ohio since 2008. A woman in Texas died last week when she was ejected from a roller coaster at a Six Flags park.