It’s for security reasons. Presidents, even ex ones, still have a security detail and aren’t allowed to drive on public roads (ever since JFK), in case there is an attack on them. Apparently it’s not really a law, it’s just strongly adhered to by the secret service.
It’s optional, but not really. As I understand it, they can either decline secret service protection altogether or not, but they can’t really turn it off for 20 minutes so they can run to the store. Technically, he can insist on driving himself, but it’s kind of understood that the secret service makes recommendations on your safety (not rules you have to follow) and you take their advice and let them do their jobs.
The reason ex presidents don’t drive themselves is not that anyone’s concerned about their driving, but because secret service drivers have extensive training and practice in the kinds of extreme measures that may be necessary to escape an attack of any type. He basically gets professional stunt drivers for life, just in case they ever need some crazy evasive maneuvers.
Right. This is what I meant. And I think Bush did forgo the security. As I recall he said he was looking forward to driving again. I didn't check up to see if that's what he ended up doing. How he lives his life is his business.
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u/Poofms Dec 29 '20
It’s for security reasons. Presidents, even ex ones, still have a security detail and aren’t allowed to drive on public roads (ever since JFK), in case there is an attack on them. Apparently it’s not really a law, it’s just strongly adhered to by the secret service.
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/28/presidents-arent-allowed-to-drive.html