Danger of Thrill Dragsters

Top 10 Thrill Dragster Accidents: Why Aren't They Safer?

Whether you love them or hate them, there's no denying that dragsters are among the most dangerous amusement park rides out there. Despite the risks, thrill-seeking visitors keep coming back for more rather than staying away. There's just something fun about sitting in a car and launching down the track at speeds of up to 120 miles per hour.

However, accidents happen with alarming frequency, especially when you consider each dragster has only one rider. And therein lies the problem: why aren't they safer? 

If you're wondering how safe these rides are or if it's worth taking a chance on one of them, read on to learn about top 10 dragster accidents and what they say about the safety of these amusement park attractions.<<

Danger of Thrill Dragsters

The dangers of thrill dragsters can't be ignored. As fun and exciting as it may be for some people, thrill dragsters are among the most dangerous amusement park rides out there. They launch riders at 120 miles per hour and only have one rider per car, so injuries and fatalities are common.

Even more alarming is the frequency of accidents: more than 130 people have been injured after riding a thrill dragster, and more than 60 people have died. Of those who were injured, one-third of the injuries were spinal cord injuries.

Given the high frequency of accidents and the severity of injuries, it's easy to see why wonder how safe these rides are or if it's worth taking a chance on one of them.

If you're considering riding a thrill dragster, know the risks before you climb on board.

The Latest Accidents

The most recent accident happened on June 18, 2018, when a female passenger was ejected from the ride and suffered traumatic head injuries. Dozens of other accidents have occurred in the past decade alone.

It's worth noting that while some of these accidents are the result of the rider not following the rules or safety guidelines, others are due to mechanical failures. And, unfortunately, one of the more common accidents is when riders get trapped at the bottom of the track.

If you're concerned about safety or just want to learn more about these incidents, read on to learn about each of them.

What Happened?

In a review of top 10 dragster accidents, a common thread is that riders either lost control of the car or the car broke down.

In one case, a rider's car broke down and exploded, leaving the rider with second degree burns. In another, a rider lost control of his car and crashed into a wall, breaking his neck and fracturing his skull.

Safety issues such as faulty brakes and poor design also contributed to dragster accidents.

Less than two weeks ago, two people were injured after their dragster's suspension failed and the car's front axle slammed into the ground.

The consequences can be gruesome: one rider was decapitated and his headless body continued to ride the dragster for another mile and a half before it crashed.

In another incident, a rider's arm was ripped off when his dragster's door flung open during an accident.

While these accidents may be few and far between, they speak to the inherent dangers of these amusement park attractions.

The Dragster's History

If you're going to talk about safety in a dragster, history is a good place to start. It all started in the early 20th century in New Zealand when a man in a skirt jumped in a car and rode it down a hill.

After a few failed attempts, the event was banned. It wasn't until the 1960s that it finally caught on in the United States and has been popular ever since.

Dragsters are often categorized as an extreme amusement park ride, which you'll know if you've ever been on one. The cars take off from a platform and launch down the track, which can be up to 400 meters long. Riders can reach speeds of up to 120 miles per hour before they get to the finish line.

But what's the point of these rides? Aren't they just dangerous and pointless?

No! Dragsters can be a lot of fun and offer riders a taste of danger that other amusement park rides can't. The thrill of launch and speed is what keeps people coming back for more!

The problem with these rides is that accidents happen with alarming frequency. In fact, each dragster has only one rider and accidents often happen at the end of the ride when the car launches off the

Why Aren't They Safer?

There are a lot of reasons why these rides aren't safer, but it boils down to one word: design.

Dragsters are not designed to be safe. They're not going to slow down anytime soon. And while a few safety measures have been implemented in recent years, they're not nearly enough to make these rides safe.

The National Safety Council estimates that "rear-impact collisions" happen in about 20 percent of dragster accidents, which is when the vehicle in front slows down and the one behind slams into it from behind.

The Council also notes that this is a particular issue when the car in front stops suddenly because it means that the car behind does not have time to react and avoid the collision.

What's more, dragsters don't have any restraints. And while they do have bumpers, they don't do enough to protect the rider and passengers from injuries in an accident.

In fact, one study found that 75% of people who crashed their dragster experienced at least one injury. That's a huge proportion of riders who get hurt, despite the use of bumpers. And while some people say that these statistics don't tell the whole story, there's no denying that dragsters are not very