The Gun Counter

Skill Set: Defensive Driving
by Tiger McKee


We constantly practice and train with our firearms, so we can defend ourselves from an attacker. At the same time we develop our defensive mindset, learning to pay attention to our environment and those around us. One place we really need to apply these skills, but usually don't understand and practice, is driving.

First, start thinking about speed in feet-per-second instead of miles-per-hour. The easy way to determine fps is to multiply the mph by 1.5. If you're traveling at 30 mph, you're moving at 45 fps. At 70 mph you're traveling 105 fps. Now factor in reaction time. Pure reaction time, you are expecting something to occur and you already know the response required, is about one-quarter of a second. When the unexpected occurs reaction time is more like one to two seconds, and increases exponentially according to how big the surprise and trouble is. So if you're traveling at 90 fps, and a hundred feet away a car runs a stop sign, by the time you hit the brakes you're smashing into the other car.

We need to visually scan at all times. The faster you go, the narrower your field of view becomes. For example at 60 fps - 40 mph - you have a band of vision approximately 120 degrees; at a speed of 120 fps, you have a 30-degree field of focus. We need to constantly be scanning and using the rear and side mounted mirrors, using small movements of the head to break the tunnel vision that occurs. The key is to spot potential trouble before it involves you.

Always have an escape route. At a red-light position your vehicle so you have room to drive off if trouble develops. This can be a turn lane, the entrance to a business, or a smooth grassy median. Don't get too close to the car in front of you when stopping. If you're too close to the vehicle in front of you, and the car behind you is so close you can't back up, there isn't enough room to pull into your escape route. At red lights I leave at least two car-lengths between my vehicle and the one in front of me.

Make sure you have good equipment. Your car can only do three things: accelerate, turn, and brake. Good tires, shocks, and brakes are essential. The tires are your only contact with the road. Loose traction and you're in trouble. Remember, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. When turning right the weight of the vehicle is transferred to the left. Without good shocks this sudden weight transfer can cause the car to go out of control. It goes without saying that brakes are critical, and you should constantly have them checked and maintained.

Car wrecks are a lot like fights. They are sudden, unexpected, and violent. I thought I knew a lot about driving until I attended a defensive driving class. This education has already saved me from trouble several times. The defensive mindset is about avoiding trouble, and this applies to every aspect of your life, including driving.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama, author of The Book of Two Guns, a staff member of several firearms/tactical publications, and an adjunct instructor for the F.B.I. (256) 582-4777 www.shootrite.org