The Lakeland Ledger reports that rides at the soon-to-open Legoland Florida will not be inspected by state safety inspectors. Instead, the park's own employees will inspect its rides on a daily basis. Although self-inspection may raise concerns about ride safety, park officials say they are focused on preventing amusement park accidents.

Because Legoland will have 1,000 or more employees, it qualifies for an exemption from state inspection and permitting requirements under a law specifically created for large amusement parks in the state and Orlando area. However, the law also requires the amusement parks to employ full-time safety inspectors of their own.

Under the law, amusement parks' safety inspectors must inspect every ride at least once a year and provide information to the state about their inspections. The Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer services also reviews parks' inspection procedures to ensure they meet industry safety standards. If an accident occurs that results in overnight hospitalization, the accident must be documented in quarterly reports given state safety officials.

A Legoland spokesperson said its safety inspectors will inspect every ride every morning, and they also will be on standby throughout the day should anything happen. "We are completely confident that our ride maintenance team has the experience and the knowledge to ensure the safety" of the park's guests, spokesperson Jackie Wallace asserted.

While one may question the reliability of self-inspections for ride safety, the threat of the tragic injures, negative publicity and possible personal-injury lawsuits that can follow amusement park accidents hopefully will be enough to ensure the safety of all guests at amusement parks in the Orlando area.