Is A Driver, Just A Driver?

Imagine your chauffeur arrives - they are polite, they are considerate, they open your door correctly and their car is luxurious. You set off and then the driver gladly demonstrates they have little control, refinement or competency in their driving ability! To know this, all you have to do is watch the way they steer.

It never ceases to amaze me how some experienced drivers who transport passengers still don’t know the basics of car control. One of the first things they should master is ‘steering’ and delivering a silky smooth ride for the passenger.

In normal conditions, a driver should hold the wheel lightly with both hands so they can react quickly in an emergency. The hands should be placed between ‘ten-to-two’ and ‘quarter-to-three’ (with a slight bend in the elbow). The hands should never leave the wheel unless required and the grip should only ever tighten when conditions demand. Additionally, the driver’s elbows should never be placed on an arm rest or window frame because it reduces control.

Furthermore in normal driving, a turn should always start with a pull on the wheel rather than a push and the hands should not cross twelve o’ clock. As the wheel is turned the driver’s body weight should be counterbalanced by their free hand as it mirrors the hand holding the wheel. This again will help deliver smoothness and greater control of the vehicle.

A conscientious driver will know the basics. They will have also learnt to feel the car, the road, the environment, everything - so they have better control! So, if you want to know how good your chauffeur is, just watch the way they steer.

Is A Car Just A Car?

Suppose you travel for three-hours in a chauffeur-driven car to an important meeting. That meeting is with a valuable customer and needs your full attention. What difference could your vehicle possibly make?

In the book ‘Roadcraft, The Essential Police Driver’s Handbook’ there are two paragraphs titled, ‘Fatigue’ and ‘How to combat fatigue’. Fatigue is often known as tiredness, weakness or the inability to function at one’s normal level – something critical if your meeting is important!

In the book, two issues are considered when discussing fatigue: a comfortable posture and noting how noise and vibration cause fatigue. These issues are directly related to a car’s design, seats, noise levels and build quality. These issues are precisely why a chauffeur car should be at least executive class (a size larger than family saloon models).

Any one who has travelled in a high quality executive saloon will tell you it can make a world of difference. The effect it has on your physical and mental state at the end of a journey is considerable! Quite simply, if the meeting is important then so too is your car.