Hung up on rider safety, Cedar Point enforcing new cellphone rules

SANDUSKY — We live in a data-driven age in which just about everyone is walking around with a super computer in their pocket, disguised as a smartphone. Phones today can cost well in excess of $1,000. So why would anyone want to risk the chance of smashing it into pieces?Cedar Point is now enforcing a rule: Cellphones will no longer be allowed with you in line for Steel Vengeance. The rule states cellphones must be left in a locker or with a non-rider."Similar to the rider safety policies on other thrilling rides at Cedar Point, loose articles, including cellphones, are not permitted on Steel Vengeance," Cedar Point spokesman Tony Clark said.The previous protocol left the securing of a personal cellphone device to the discretion of the guest. While no loose articles are allowed in the line, if you had pockets with buttons or zippers, it was an acceptable means of locking up the device before riding.But there are still countless instances every single day of cellphones either falling out of guests' pockets or worse — guests taking them out, trying to take a picture or video while riding.A recent issue at Kings Dominion, a sister park to Cedar Point in Doswell, Virginia, involved a woman being hit in the face with a phone while riding Twisted Timbers, resulting in a stricter phone policy being implemented.Ride hosts will be enforcing this policy as they have with other rider policies.Guests can rent a locker immediately adjacent to Steel Vengeance. For $10, guests can purchase a movable locker rental code that can be used throughout the park. Otherwise, lockers are $2 for the first two hours and $1 extra per hour thereafter.Editor's note: Justin Dietz is a Register correspondent representing CPFoodBlog.com and @CPFoodBlog on Twitter.Cedar Point guests can no longer hold onto their cellphones while they wait in line for Steel Vengeance.