i think you should have to pass a test before you can drive a
ECV
Tell you what -- I'll that test the day all TAB people are also tested on their ability to share a crowded part with
ECVs and strollers. Fair's fair, if I have to pass a test to be allowed to enter WDW, so should you.
A certain amount of problems are caused by people (walkers, riders, and stroller pushers) who simply oblivious to the whole world, and a small amount by people not experienced in using ECVs. But from what I have seen, the majority of collisions are caused by the natural tendency of people in masses to act like herd animals.
My theory, which is mine, is based on observations of herds: cattle, horses, and people in crowds. Each individual has a certain distance they prefer to maintain from those around them, although they tend to be closer to those in their own party and maintain a further distance to others outside their party. As the area gets more crowded, they subconsiously are aware of more people around them and they tend to contract the size of their party, moving closer together. As they percieve more space opening up around them, they tend to spread their party out more. This is how large groups of people can flow around and intermingle with few collisions and apparently no-one being aware of anyone around them. (People in New York are Grand Masters at this, and people in Tokyo seem to have this down to a fine art.)
Now, mind, they are not doing this consiously. It's more a matter of what you see out of the corner of your eye and calculations made in the back of your head as you try to keep an eye on your children, or look at the map, or watch the scenery around you, or figure out where to go next. The problem is, people's perceptions of those around them tend to be based on their own eye level. Which means that small children, strollers, and ECVs don't register.
Typically strollers and small children have adults with them to mitigate the perception, although some people will still walk into them. I have also noticed I have fewer problems when I am with a party of walkers. However, I alone in my ECV are perceived, subconsiously, by most people as a big hole opening up near them, and they tend to spread out a little, resulting in people drifting sideways until they are right in front of me.
People in ECVs quickly learn that we must be vigilent at all times. You can walk and eat a turkey leg, or watch the scenery, but we can't. We must be watching all the time for someone who doesn't see us and walks in front of us. Granted, it is our responsibility to be aware of those around us, but we are human too. We get distracted, we are looking at all the wonder of Disney around us, we get into conversation with others in our party. Walkers must bear some of the responsiblity as well, to be aware of what's around them. Bear in mind that ECVs don't stop on a dime. They do have a type of brake when the rider releases the lever, but we can't just slam on the brakes to avoid a collision.
The most frustrating thing is to be behind a party that is walking very slowly and occasionally pausing. As other walkers come up on them, their party will usually contract to make room to let pass, without anyone even noticing what's going on. However, they don't see me at all, they don't contract to let me pass. My options are to poke along behind them at a much slower rate than most people, or say "Excuse me!" to try to pass, and get glared at and comments made about how entitled I am. All I'm asking for is the same courtesy you give others, it's just that you have to be a little more aware of your surroundings.
It's like a wreck. You can't look away.
