Safety Remains the Fundamental Priority for the Global Attractions Industry

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic incident at Six Flags Over Georgia. On behalf of IAAPA and the global attractions community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the individual’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. Our thoughts are also with the park guests, attractions employees, first responders, and all those impacted by this tragedy.

We understand that Six Flags is working with local authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, and we respect that process as they work to determine the facts. At this time, our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this heartbreaking loss."

—Jakob Wahl, President and CEO, IAAPA

IAAPA and its members are committed to maintaining rigorous safety practices and continuously improving industry standards. In the global attractions industry, safety is a shared responsibility.

IAAPA member attractions follow established operating procedures, inspection, and maintenance protocols, while guests should always follow posted safety instructions and directions from ride operators.

The 2024 North America Fixed-Site Amusement Ride Safety Report, produced in partnership with the National Safety Council (NSC), an independent nonprofit safety organization, shows an estimated 1.92 billion guest rides occurred in the USA and Canada during 2024.

• The vast majority of reported injuries were not classified as serious. In 2024, 8% of injuries were classified as serious, unchanged from 2023 and below the 10-year average of 10%.
   
• Respondents reported that guest behavior contributed to 66% of the injuries over the past year. Only 9% of the injuries, on average, were attributed to operational factors, and 15% to technical factors.
   
• In 2024, the total injury rate was 1.27 injuries per million rides. This means that there were fewer than 2 reported injuries for every 1 million rides taken.

Safety remains a fundamental priority for the global attractions industry. Through our longstanding partnership with the National Safety Council, IAAPA has tracked amusement ride safety trends for more than two decades. 

While the 2024 report shows modest increases in injury rates compared with 2023, the long-term data continues to demonstrate a gradual decline in injuries per million attendees. These findings reinforce the importance of ongoing safety monitoring, research, and continuous improvement across our industry.

Report Background:
IAAPA has conducted its Ride Safety Report annually since 2002, providing more than two decades of consistent industry safety data.

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