The evo standard part 2: Preparation, observation and managing your speed

In today’s risk-averse society, driving at extreme speeds is increasingly seen as irresponsible and unacceptable. From the perspective of the responsible driver, it’s not just about risks and consequences, or collecting a bucketload of endorsements. It’s about having a healthy respect for speed and the profound ability to drive at safe speeds.  

Among certain social groups, and indeed some car clubs, speeding is often wrongly associated with skill or prestige. The excitement and adrenaline rush from powerful acceleration and high-speed driving becomes a risk-taking drug of colossal proportions. The best drivers arrive safely, not first.

Whatever we feel about driving fast, safety is the first prerequisite of driving, and speed has to be managed responsibly and effectively. ‘I’m invincible… until I’m not’ is another way of saying that driving at higher speeds comes with significant responsibility.

Speed management is a hot topic amongst enthusiastic drivers, and it revolves around the choices we make governing our use of speed. Great road drivers have the ability to select the perfect speed for any approaching hazard as if it’s second nature. With a slight shift in speed behaviour, we can all achieve this level of expertise.

By improving our visual scanning to identify potential/actual road hazards earlier, we gain time to plan our approach speed. So work towards moderating your approach based on what you can and cannot see. By tempering our speed to match the risk ahead, we attain power and control over our use of speed in every environment we drive in. 

In conditions where driving fast is safe, doing so can only remain safe provided you are constantly at the ready to slash speed (and do) at the merest hint of danger ahead. High safety is better than high speed.

I’ve heard it said that fear helps drivers know their limitations when it comes to speed. I’d say that if you’re scaring yourself behind the wheel, you are already well over your driving limitations; fear feeds on ignorance, and over-confidence is a recipe for disaster. Driving a high-performance car demands responsibility and self-policing. Do you ever ask: ‘Is my speed safe?’ No? Why not?

On the subject of corner entry speeds, it’s crucial to set your speed to match the vision available ahead – the less you can see, the slower you drive, so you can always ‘stop well within the distance you can see to be clear ahead’.  And when adopting speed management through small towns and villages, those lower limits are non-negotiable.  This is where speed discipline is part of a great driver’s skill and mindset armoury. 

Many new cars, and EVs in particular, disconnect the driver from the sensations of speed. So always be aware of the limit for every road you drive and keep an eye on your speedometer, reining in the desire to make more progress than is sensible, legal or safe. 

Couple use of speed with risk management and recognise how to use speed effectively in all situations. Developing your human driving performance and your dominance of speed at all times is what the evo Standard is all about. Can you be that driver?