The deuce is a safe vehicle provided the nut behind the steering wheel is not too loose.
Operator head spacing and timing must be constantly adjusted.
Has your Mom seen a deuce......show her one in person and ask her what would do better in a head on collision....the deuce or the SUV.
That being said it may not be the ideal vehicle to learn to drive on.....it is a stick shift, has no power steering, is loud, hot in the summer, has a crappy defroster when the windows fog up, requires a lot of maintainence and unless you are mechanically inclined may eat your lunch when repairs are needed.
Find someone in your area that will let you get some stick time on one (in a safe place) and see what you may be getting yourself into.