# Roller Coaster Safety Loophole

> A 45-year-old safety loophole lets roller coasters avoid federal oversight.
- Title: Roller Coaster Safety Loophole · VICE | Shortify
- Summary: A 45-year-old safety loophole lets roller coasters avoid federal oversight. A 45-year-old federal safety loophole lets roller coasters avoid federal…
- Keywords: roller coaster, federal oversight, six flags, safety loophole, amusement park, hassan jihad ibn kariem, goliath coaster, cobb county police, six flags over georgia, x2 coaster, national association of amusement ride s, ed markey
- Source: VICE — https://vice.com/en/article/the-45-year-old-loophole-that-keeps-roller-coasters-off-the-federal-radar
- Author: Ashley Fike
- Published: 2026-10-16T00:41:41+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: roller coaster, federal oversight, six flags, safety loophole, amusement park, hassan jihad ibn kariem, goliath coaster, cobb county police, six flags over georgia, x2 coaster, national association of amusement ride s, ed markey
## Roller Coaster Safety Loophole
A 45-year-old safety loophole lets roller coasters avoid federal oversight.
## Recent Tragedy
Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, died after falling from the Goliath roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia on October 12.
## Injuries and Safety Concerns
Six Flags closed nine coasters at six parks after a man died falling from a roller coaster.
## State vs Federal Oversight
The federal government hasn’t regulated permanent amusement park rides since 1981, with each state setting its own safety rules.
## Safety Debate
Sen. Ed Markey has pushed to close the loophole since 1999, but the amusement industry has opposed federal oversight.
## Key takeaway

A 45-year-old federal safety loophole lets roller coasters avoid federal oversight after a man died falling from a coaster.