The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "ride safety law" ...
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Theme Park Lawsuits
This investigation looks at a secretive but very critical aspect of theme parks in Florida. This aspect is “how and how often people get hurt in theme parks, and what happens to them if they complain”. Private parks aren’t required to disclose or provide a description of non-fatal injuries and it has become a voluntary action to actually report these injuries.
Tags: federal; state; local; laws; regulations; safety; public; rides; lawsuits; inspections; memorandum of understanding; tourists
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Thrilled to Death
This story took a look at amusement parks in Texas and found evidence of numerous serious injuries, faulty ride maintenance, and negligent behavior on the part of employees. It found several amusement park operators had failed to report numerous injuries to state regulators, in violation of Texas law. It also found evidence that state and federal regulations and enforcement are inadeqate to ensure ride safety.
Tags: amusement parks; ride safety; Texas Department of Insurance; Six Flags; government safety regulations for amusement parks
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Loose seat belt laws
There is no state law in Ohio requiring back-seat passengers to wear seat belts, unless the driver is 18 and driving with a temporary permit. The Beacon analyzed federal (NHTSA) crash data and found that ..."More than a third of the 279 children ages 4 to 15 years old, who died in crashes from 1994 through 1999 were riding legally unbuckled in back seats."
Tags: crash; seat belt; transportation; children; fatalities; safety; child seats; House Bill 113; CAR
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Free Ride
The Star-Telegram reports that Six Flags Over Texas did not follow the law "that requires parks to report injuries during the three-month period in which they occurred." The newspaper found over 30 lawsuits that the state was not told about. Texas park safety laws declare "annual inspections should be done by insurance companies because they have a financial interest, along with the parks, in keeping patrons safe." But some say that "allowing businesses to regulate themselves opens the door to problems, even if they have every reason to ensure patrons' safety." Sean Wood and Jennifer Autrey report more on the injury reporting law and amusement park safety records.
Tags: amusement parks; safety; consumers; injuries; insurance; International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions; annual inspections; Department of Insurance; Consumer Product Safety Commission; ride safety law
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The LCV Debate
Part one examines the secret attempts by the trucking industry to win railroad support of changes in federal law that would allow more LCVs (Longer Combination Vehicles) to operate on the nation's highways. LCVs are limited by federal law to certain areas of the country. Railroads say widespread use of the trucks hauling twin 48 foot trailers or three 28 foot trailers would drive them out of business. Part two investigates the safety record of triple trailer trucks by reviewing state and federal records, interviewing truck drivers and riding in one of the big rigs. Part three investigates the secret war of the railroads against the trucking industry, including creating and funding national "grassroots" advocacy groups to lobby Congress and state officials against triple trailer trucks. Trucking companies and their lobbying association poured million of dollars into an aggressive lobbying effort in support of bigger and heavier trucks.
Tags: None
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No title (id: 6064)
WPLG-TV (Miami) shows how loopholes in the law and lax enforcement allow children to ride illegal and unsafe private school buses; finds bus drivers with suspended licenses, buses with safety defects, May 4 - 6, 1988.
Tags: FL Pattilo King Tape