We got ourselves a convoy!

• Do you know the increased risks this type of driving together creates?
• Does your club manage the duty of care aspect for its members?

I have some close friends who tell stories of ‘immense driving feats’ (in their mind) and often crazy risk taking on Car Club driving events, especially during tours featuring modern high performance cars.

Indeed, when pressed, they say there is an intense aspect of staying with the group and one not losing face by lagging behind, so others have to wait for them to catch up and then ‘take the piss’. It’s a testosterone thing, I am sure.

Follow the Leader

The driving pace is set by the lead driver who may be a brilliant exponent of road driving expertise, but one who drives the road for themselves and at a speed they are fine with. What this does is truly disturbing for those following who may or may not, have such skills or don’t want to drive at crazy or illegal speeds.

I think convoy driving is an area where even sensible drivers start taking risks they wouldn’t otherwise.

There is no such thing as ‘bravado’ when driving on the road. The lead driver has a responsibility to all those behind him which can sometimes be forgotten.

Keep up at the Back

It’s a common problem for many car clubs, who depend on the lead driver’s skill, abilities, and mindset to manage and ensure the convoy stays together. Practically speaking, it’s actually impossible given a convoy of more than two or three vehicles, due to traffic flows, overtaking slower vehicles en route, allowing for traffic lights or if someone takes a wrong turn. It happens!

When dealing with overtaking slower moving vehicles, this is where risks are taken and some drivers feel pressurised into overtaking when it may not be fully safe to do so. Huge risks are being taken by people who make perfectly sane decisions in their normal walks of life.

Peer Pressures and Shared Responsibility

What needs to be mentioned here is the whole attitudinal aspects of these types of driving events.The intention is to go out and enjoy driving yet the format encourages peer pressures that even the most sensible drivers succumb to.

I am not here to destroy the fun of driving in a ‘pack of other drivers’ all of whom probably think they have elevated skills and lots of experience. But as I know, it only takes one small thing to happen and the full impact of consequences and ramifications shower down over the whole driving group.

It’s a shared responsibility and one that has to have a lead driver who fully and totally understands the repercussions of driving like men possessed, often on new roads and sometime in foreign parts too.

Minimising Risk

So what can be done to make these often spectacular driving events safer and better managed?

There has to be a senior driver who carries weight and authority in the club to go through a pre drive briefing; outlining what the day’s driving will look like and setting down specific rules of engagement for all drivers. It should be done by someone who understands the potential risks and consequences of allowing the red mist to deliver horrific consequences for all involved.

The nominated person should brief all drivers on the duty of care aspect they have as a driving collective, and that safety is above all things whilst enjoying the outing as much as possible.

Sounds obvious, but the group should agree that no alcohol should be consumed when stopping for lunch. It’s also wise to consider the potential effects a meal can have on your ability to pay attention to the driving task.

Pairing

If we consider that convoys are perhaps just not a good idea, but somehow inevitable, what else can be done to “inject safety”? We suggest a “pairing” tactic.

Drivers should pair up and commit to a buddy in the car behind. By giving consideration to a car behind, the target fixation of what’s ahead is challenged. Without breaking that chain, the temptation for every car to keep up with the one in front prevents a compounding of risk as you approach each hazard.

With due consideration for their buddy, the risks taken on reduce significantly. Overtaking manoeuvres, dealing with junctions and traffic signals all become a matter for you and your buddy, rather than everyone “just nipping through”, piling up the risks on the cars at the back.

A convoy of driving as ‘pairs’ changes the dynamic significantly for the better.

Opting Out

If, best intentions or otherwise things start getting out of hand, be the "Better Driver". Drop back, drop out, save yourself and enjoy your own space.

The Buck Stops with You

Above all, take responsibility for your own actions.

No court of law or victim of a 'mishap' will care why you were in such a rush. Quite the opposite, too much haste will be viewed very dimly in this context - for you and your club.