Laws aim to keep the amusement in park rides

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) â€“ State Labor Department officials say they've received only two reports of injuries on amusement park rides in the first five months of this year.<br/><br/>Both of the injuries

Wednesday, June 22nd 2005, 5:42 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) â€“ State Labor Department officials say they've received only two reports of injuries on amusement park rides in the first five months of this year.

Both of the injuries occurred in go-cart accidents at the Incredible Pizza Company in Tulsa.

Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau says recent reports of amusement ride deaths in other states have increased public scrutiny on rides. Four amusement ride deaths have been reported in the United States this year.

But Reneau says Oklahoma's amusement ride laws are among the most stringent in the country.

All amusement rides in Oklahoma are inspected by the labor department. That means everything from go-carts and rental inflatables to roller coasters.

Labor officials say there was an increase in registered rides this year, but re-inspections are down because owners and operators are making sure their equipment is safe.