Slashdot Mirror
New Jersey Officially Limits G-Forces on Coasters
Well, NJ has (sadly) become the first state in the US at limiting G-Forces on roller coasters. The regulation calls for prohibition of forces greater than 5.6 that last longer than one second. NJ gave itself the right to regulate rides after an accident where two were killed from a malfunction, not excessive Gs. (A ride I rode once -- It's a kiddie-sized coaster, not what you'll find at Cedar Point, OH. The two killed were a seven year old and her mother.) This is also despite the lack of scientific evidence linking G forces to brain injury, and 320 million riders who turn out just fine every year. One brain-injury specialist interviewed said that you can exert 10 Gs just plopping into a chair, saying the state was "a little misguided."
In other news, Newark International Airport was shut down, because planes create excessive G-Force pressure on take-off. And accelerating your car too quickly? That's a no-no too.
(Relax, it's a joke.)
"Sadly"?
In this day and age, in the midst of the impositions being advocated by the MPAA, the RIAA, the FBI, Eunice Stone, and a hundred thousand other people who want you to keep your front door ajar, you're objecting to a law that limits the danger to which foolhardy folk may subject themselves within a tiny state no one really cares about?
Geez. Learn to pick your battles.
Please don't read my journal