Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Strip's electric cars not for the faint of heart

Little vehicles move slowly, which is a minus for driving on the Strip

You may have seen a little buggy-looking, neon-colored car or something that looked like a mini-Chrysler PT Cruiser sitting at a red light on the Strip and thought, "How cute."

Or maybe you wondered what they were. Then again, maybe you knew exactly what they were because you found yourself stuck behind one and couldn't resist blasting the horn at the rubbernecking driver.

Electric cars started popping up last year at rental places all along the Strip and tourists started driving them, much to the chagrin of some local drivers. The cars can travel a top speed of 25 mph; the speed limit on the Strip is 35 mph.

They became wildly popular, says Brian Singleton, spokesman for Budget Rent a Car, because companies pitched the little cars as an alternative to hoofing it down Las Vegas Boulevard and people fell for it.

"It's definitely an experience," Singleton says.

Wondering what sort of experience, a Review-Journal reporter and photographer took a ride in one of the cars to see what it is like.

Singleton was right.

We thought it would be a relaxing way to traverse the Strip, but it turned out to be nerve-racking. All that extra energy saved by not having to walk gets used up when the body's nervous system kicks into high gear.

Riding in the open-sided cars feels as if one is walking along with the traffic, and it's hard not to cringe at the closeness of SUVs and oversized trucks.

The photographer learned the most important lesson of all when riding in one of these cars: Hold on to your belongings. While trying to change a camera lens, the lens cover flew out of his hand and right out the back.

We turned just in time to see several cars drive over it.

It seems like an accident waiting to happen, driving these electric cars. They are, after all, golf carts.

But so far, there have been no citations written or accidents reported involving an electric car on the Strip or downtown, said Las Vegas police Sgt. Rick Barela.

There's nothing to riding in a golf cart on a golf course. But maneuvering through Strip traffic on some days can be just as complex as merging onto the autobahn while riding a lawn mower.

The Strip isn't a German highway, but it might as well be with all the tourists driving north and south while staring east and west.

"You have to protect yourself, drive defensively. I hope the rental companies are telling people that," Barela said.

Safety aside, the proliferation of the cars affects a hallowed Strip tradition: Walking and enjoying a tall, cool one.

Budget's fleet of 10 cars come fully equipped with seat belts, rearview mirrors, a radio, CD player and velour upholstery, but they don't come with cup holders.

Technically and legally speaking, people renting these electric cars shouldn't be drinking and driving, Barela said. After all, the cars are licensed vehicles and must obey all traffic laws.

Budget agents always brief renters that they must follow traffic laws, Singleton said. They haven't had to face the issue of a driver receiving a DUI and he cringed at the mention of it.

But can't you see it now?

John and Jane Tourist pull up in front of a casino and see an ad for a 64-ounce margarita in a collectible glass. Buying one of those is a rite of tourism; who can pass that up?

And while carrying an open container full of liquor is legal on the Strip and downtown, when you introduce a vehicle into the mix it causes all kinds of legal problems.

"It's hard to anticipate what kind of problem they may cause later as they become more prominent on the roads," Barela said. "As long as (renters) understand they are motor vehicles and operate them accordingly, I see no problems."