Senior executives are often required to travel to Washington DC, as it’s the capital city and political centre of the United States.
For such a high-profile destination, there is a need to book protective transport services in advance. We are experts in moving high-profile individuals through high-traffic and high-security urban areas. All our drivers are background-checked, bound by NDAs, and trained in defensive and protective driving.
In addition to this article, you might like to read our insights about travelling to Washington DC.
Flying in
We can arrange private aviation into an FBO or Reagan National, Dulles, or Baltimore/Washington International, all with a discreet meet-and-greet service and secure limo pickup direct from the landing strip.
Getting about
To avoid unwanted attention, we’d usually use unmarked black sedans or a luxury SUV. If our advance threat assessment shows a high risk, we can provide an armoured vehicle with armed executive protection agents as well as a trained security driver.
Armoured vehicles in the UK & USA
In the US, you should ask for ‘level three protection’.
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has established the NIJ Level III (three in Roman numerals) as their ballistic standard to protect against high-powered rifles. In tests, the armoured vehicle must withstand six shots from a high-velocity rifle without allowing penetration.
The European tests are slightly different, in that armoured vehicles should withstand three shots fired in a tight group.
In practice, the two standards offer comparable real-world protection.
In the UK, B6 level is one of the most common civilian-grade protection ratings for armoured vehicles, where the vehicle is engineered to defeat multiple rounds of high-velocity, high-powered rifle fire. By contrast, B4 level stops handgun rounds up to a .44 Magnum.
The B6 vehicle will include:
We would also specify BR6-NS glass. This means the window glass is lined with a tough shield. If hit, no fragments can break off into the vehicle. This compares with BR6-SA glass where fragments can shatter into the cabin and cause facial or eye injuries.
B6 or level 3 are the benchmark for high-profile executives operating in high-risk environments.
Comparing security driving in the UK, Europe & USA
Neil Davies OBE is one of the founders of Secure Ground Transportation. Here he is talking to Jacquie Davis, recognised as ‘the world’s top female bodyguard’ and one of our key supporters and associates.
Watch their 7-minute conversation as they discuss how the UK security industry compares with Europe and the USA.
Risks in Washington DC
There are often demonstrations and protests in Washington DC, which can turn tense or violent. With frequent motorcades, there can be unannounced road closures that affect the journey. Also, there’s often congestion on the roads between downtown, Capitol Hill and local airports.
Landmark celebrations such as annual 4th July events mean enhanced security measures such as temporary restrictions on commercial flights, road closures, and extra troops of National Guard and US Coastguard maritime patrols.
Violent crimes typically reduce when there is a visible Police presence, and there is currently a crackdown in which the ‘DC Safe & Beautiful Task Force’ has deployed thousands of National Guard troops alongside federal law enforcement. As a result, homicides, robberies and motor vehicle thefts have reportedly dropped significantly, while immigration enforcement has risen.
Security driving in Washington DC
We always keep an eye on what’s happening and where, so we can plan a primary and contingency route, as well as routes to designated safe havens and nearby medical centres in case of emergency.
What’s more, we maintain real-time tracking and communication, so the security driver is never ‘alone’.
Questions to ask about secure drivers in Washington DC
As you can imagine, all the security drivers we use can say ‘yes’ to all those questions. They each have at least five years’ experience in military, police, or executive protection.
Questions to ask about armoured vehicles in Washington DC
If you arrange your secure ground transportation through us, you can be assured that the armoured vehicles we use are up to spec.
Related reading
If you found this information useful, you might also like to read our related articles. These include:
Protecting VIPs at high-profile gatherings
Why more female executives are prioritising travel security
Transportation to high-risk destinations: What business travellers need to know
What next?
For an initial conversation about secure ground transport in Washington DC for visiting executives, please call Neil and Gary on +44 (0)20 7871 3117 or email hello@securegroundtransportation.com.
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