DRIVING O/S:

July 26, 2010

Over the past several years I have been fortunate to operate outside of my own country and comfort zone in some of the best and worst road conditions. Even though I would not compare a vehicle convoy in Vietnam or India to what the PSD operative are doing in the Middle East, each has their own inherent risks.  If budgets and the client allows I will do my best to have a professional local driver provided so as to free me up to do my job, which is protection. This ensures that I am not pulling my hair out trying to deal with unfamiliar conditions and locations.  All those with any time on the circuit will attest that having a competent driver with local knowledge is a valuable asset to peace of mind.

Just as important as local knowledge are the following:

1: Communications.  You need to be able to have the driver, not only understand directions and expectations, but then follow them precisely. I have had Vietnamese and Thai drivers that could not speak a word of English but could read my directions and follow schedules to the second. I also had a translator on speed dial for emergency changes although if the situation arrived they were able to understand what was needed by my reactions and gestures. Just a note I have had professional English speaking drivers who were paid 5 times the amount, were trained and educated and not half the drivers they were.

2: Driving Style. It is very important to check your driver’s driving style. Breaking too late, accelerating too harshly and heavy movements on the steering can leave the client sitting up ,back feeling uncomfortable, give them whiplash or even make them physically ill.

3. Safety.  Safety should always be first and foremost. Even if you are running late for an event, putting the client in danger by excessive speeding or weaving in and out of traffic is not acceptable. We know all too well how Princess Diana’s run from the paparazzi ended.

4. Professionalism.  A driver that continually joins in the client’s conversations or constantly trying to initiate them can annoy the client just as much as a bad driver. This also applies to talking on cell phones, radios, or hands free when driving and initiating non essential conversation with any of the CPO’s. I make it a personal habit not to speak unless spoken to and then only provide enough information to answer the clients query. Knowing when to speak up or shut up is an under rated skill that most operatives and drivers need to work on.

5. Personal hygiene.  Using strong perfume or after shave can be just as bad as not wearing any at all. I was recently working overseas in a country where the body odor of one of the drivers was so bad that the client became physically ill and had to cancel a public appearance. In the same visit, in a different vehicle, the smell of cheap cologne brought a second client to the point of actually vomiting and requesting the windows be let down to allow the 40deg plus wind through the vehicle. An unscented anti-perspirant, tooth paste and regular showering can make all the difference.

A competent, professional driver can make all the difference to how smoothly an assignments runs and the safety of your principal.  These atributes are of major concern as the last thing you need when transporting a principal is to be concentrating on your drivers actions, doing their job and not your own.  There is plenty of literature, courses and industry leaders in this field such as Tony Scotti who I would suggest you seek out and learn from to be the best you can.

Damon.

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Tags: Bodyguard, CPP, driving, EP, Executive Protection