Yes! LOL. She threw out the possibility of joining us during our November trip so she wouldn't have a chance at a 'practice run' since she's in assisted living and just uses a cane or walker there, which makes me that much more unsure. You use your feet for the gas and brake correct? Or are they on the handlebar?
Everything is hand control.
The steering is similar to steering a bicycle. There is a handlebar arrangement like bicycles have for steering and a throttle for making it go. The speed you go at is controlled by how far you push (or turn, depending on the ECV) the throttle.
There is also a speed control that sets the top speed - they are often marked with a rabbit for fast and a turtle for slow.
A lot of people I see having issues have the speed set too fast. When you are stopped and then start up again to go, it may accelerate faster than you realize. I still cringe thinking of a guy we saw in line at the Safari. That line does a lot of stopping; every time he started again, the ECV accelerated quickly, which surprised him and often caused him to steer to one side or the other. Since his elbows were sticking out, he kept slamming into the line rails with his elbows
I agree with other posters - trying one out would be very helpful. If you do decide to go ahead with renting one, gave her drive around the resort before venturing out.
@lanejudy is correct. All of the controls are hand controls. There aren’t any pedals. There also aren’t any brakes which is part of the challenge. They do stop fairly quickly, but not on a dime.
How is her vision? How is her ability to concentrate intently for hours at a time?
As a mid 60’s lifelong, current car driver I find it very tiring. Folks stop short in front of you. They walk into you. The suddenly dart in front of you to get ahead.
I worry given your description
I agree with your comments about it being tiring. The driver needs to be constantly alert for other people and ready to stop quickly at any point. That can get very tiring, very quickly.
Most people think ECVs don’t have any brakes because there is no brake to apply like in a car.
ECVs actually
do have brakes and they are automatic. When the driver is applying power by activating the throttle, the brakes are off. As soon as the throttle is not activated, no power is being sent to the motor and the brakes are automatically on. The ECV stops fairly quickly, but as you mentioned, it doesn’t stop on a dime.
The faster you were going, the longer it will take to stop.