Their action came in the wake of a 2017 accident at the Ohio State Fair that killed Tyler Jarrell, an 18-year-old Marine enlistee, and left four others with life-changing injuries.Ĭalled 'Tyler's Law,' it requires more mandatory inspections for big attractions and makes owners maintain repair and travel records. While the state has long had one of the nation's more robust ride inspection programs - nine states don't require any government scrutiny as of 2021 - Ohio lawmakers spent more than a year crafting a plan to increase oversight. 'I firmly believe that the state of Ohio has one of the strongest amusement ride safety programs in the country based on the level of regulation that we have, the quality of the industry and the seriousness they take in ride safety, as well as the credentials of our inspectors,' insisted David Miran, the agency's deputy director of regulatory programs. The Ohio Department of Agriculture's Division of Amusement Ride Safety, which is tasked with carrying out permitting and inspection, is confident in its regulatory oversight process. They'll also closely examine darts, basketballs and other components of midway games of skills to ensure they're not crooked. Passengers scream as they turn upside down on the Fireball ride at the 2022 Mercer County Fair in Celina.Ĭounty fairs are just around the corner in Wapakoneta and Celina, and state inspectors will be on the grounds to verify amusement rides are working properly and safe for fairgoers to board.

Large safety pins