The psychology of the driver / escort of important people (VIP)

Driving is generally a process that some people find quite stressful. This can be seen from the way they handle the vehicle, but also from how they are inside the vehicle.

However, if the vehicle belongs to an accompanying group or if it is still the main vehicle, ie the one transported by the VIP person, then the stress is much greater. Such a driver when he is going to participate in an escort - especially with increased risk - we understand that he will always be in a very stressful situation.

Most of the time if the driver does not have much experience, it will be easy for anyone to recognize the situation they are experiencing because the requirements of this job are quite large:

• In short, he should know the route, as well as the alternatives, in advance, to have done it even a day before if possible, in order to know more details.
• To have proper and uninterrupted communication with the security officer, to know exactly his obligations and his area of responsibility.
• To have his mind constantly on the vip he carries and to be ready if he needs something.
• To know the characteristics as well as the possibilities of the vehicle.
• Do not leave the vehicle if there is an accompanying team, and always be on standby for immediate movement.
• If he is alone with the official, we easily understand that the obligations are much bigger. Even in such cases, however, it will be good as soon as the official insures to transport the vehicle to a safe place.

All of the above, as well as many other problems that can occur in such a transfer, we understand that they dramatically increase the driver's stress.

In such cases, it is good to keep as calm as possible, try to breathe deeply and exhale slowly through the nose, so that the lungs are well filled with oxygen. It's the only thing he can do in such a situation, so as not to lose control of the escort.

Here I will emphasize that this job requires the appropriate experience to carry it out safely, and of course continuous training in various situations that can be encountered on the road and must be as well prepared as possible for the worst case scenario.

By Manolis Gialitakis