The Misconception of Security Driving and Secure Transportation
Read The Key Takeaways Here
• Security driving, or secure transportation, involves much more than just operating a vehicle—it’s about ensuring the safe movement of individuals in various environments.
• Key elements of secure transportation include threat assessment, route planning, evasive driving techniques, and emergency response preparedness.
• Advanced skills such as high-speed maneuvers, off-road driving, and medical first-aid are essential for security drivers to handle high-risk situations.
• Proper training and experience are crucial for security drivers, covering defensive driving, situational awareness, and emergency response protocols.
• The term “secure transportation” better captures the full scope of security driving, emphasizing the strategic planning and expertise required to protect principals effectively.
Security driving is often misunderstood, particularly by those newly entering the industry. Many assume it is simply about operating a vehicle safely. However, security driving is much more comprehensive.
“For some in the industry, especially those just entering the business, there is a misconception of the definition of security driving – in particular, the job description of a security driver. Security driving is more than driving a vehicle. It requires the skill and knowledge to move a principal from point A to point B in a safe and secure manner and in a variety of environments. In fact, security driving is more accurately called secure transportation, which encompasses in-depth knowledge and a measured level of skill to conduct route surveys, recognize and develop safe havens, create alternate-route plans, and develop emergency evacuation plans. Advanced first-aid skills are also essential.”
This underscores the depth of expertise required in security driving and highlights why it is more accurately referred to as secure transportation.
The True Scope of Secure Transportation
Secure transportation is a specialised field that extends far beyond basic vehicle operation. It involves:
• Threat Assessment and Risk Management which includes identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities along a route and conducting reconnaissance and intelligence gathering to ensure safe passage.
• Route Planning and Contingency Strategies which covers developing primary and alternate routes, identifying safe havens and emergency exit points and monitoring real-time traffic, weather, and security updates to make necessary adjustments.
• Advanced Driving Techniques such as high-speed manoeuvring and defensive driving, evasive tactics to counter hostile threats, off-road capabilities for emergency situations.
• Medical Preparedness and Emergency Response with skills in advanced first aid and trauma care, the ability to stabilize a principal in case of medical emergencies and coordination with emergency responders when necessary.
• Vehicle Selection and Maintenance to ensure you understand the mechanics and limitations of different security vehicle, ensuring proper maintenance to prevent breakdowns or security risks, and equipping vehicles with necessary security features, such as armoured plating and emergency communication tools.
The Importance of Proper Training and Experience
As secure transportation is a complex field, proper training is essential. Security drivers must undergo specialised instruction in:
• Defensive and evasive driving techniques.
• Advanced security awareness and situational assessment.
• Emergency medical response and first aid.
• Route planning, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering.
Additionally, experience plays a critical role in a security driver’s ability to navigate diverse and unpredictable environments effectively.
The misconception that security driving is merely about operating a vehicle must be corrected. It is a highly specialised profession requiring extensive skills, strategic planning, and situational awareness. Secure transportation is the more accurate term, as it encompasses all the elements necessary to ensure the safe movement of a principal. Without the proper training, experience, and expertise, even the best drivers can fall short of the security demands required in high-risk environments and understanding these distinctions is vital for anyone entering or working within the field of security driving.