Theme park patrons will really have to mind their Ps and Qs if a bill that recently passed the Virginia Senate Commerce and Labor Committee becomes law. This bill would levy a $500 fine on rollercoaster riders who

Get off the ride before it stops
Throw things or spit while the ride is moving
Try to get our from under their harnesses
Fail to promptly report injuries

Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Paramount's Kings Dominion strongly support this bill because it gives them another way to enforce their rules other than ejection from the park. They would have to post warning signs about the $500 penalty.

Should we call this the Fabio/Apollo's Chariot bill? This information comes from the Feb. 5 edition of the Newport News Daily Press .

So if a coaster rider falls out or has a brain hemorage (and doesn't report it) then they can be fined?

It's probably more surprising that most parks don't have guests sign waivers absolving the park of legal responsibility for customer injuries or death.

Wow--somebody else does pay attention to the Busch Gardens section. I live about 15 minutes away from BG Williamsburg--a fine theme park.

I think Westcoaster.net had a link to the proposed legislation, but I couldn't find it earlier this evening.