Stay focused on the airfield: avoid distracted driving and keep aircraft and personnel safe.

Airfields hum with activity. Trucks, aircraft, ground crew, and radios all share the same tight space and timing. In that environment, a simple distraction can tilt the balance from smooth operations to a risky moment. So, what should you steer clear of behind the wheel on an airfield? The standout answer is clear: distracted driving, especially using a mobile device. Let me unpack why that matters and how to stay sharp when you’re moving around these active spaces.

Why distractions are a no-go on the airfield

Think about it: you’re not just driving from A to B. You’re guiding a moving machine through zones where every inch counts. A split-second glance away can delay a critical reaction—like stopping for a sudden aircraft taxi or reading a signal that just changed. Here are the core risks in plain terms:

• Delayed reactions: When your attention drifts, your hands and feet can’t respond as quickly to a signal, crosswalk, or a vehicle stopping suddenly in front of you.

• Impaired judgment: Even a few seconds of diversion can cloud your ability to judge distances, speeds, and the safe path around hot zones and active equipment.

• Higher collision risk: Airfields aren’t empty lanes. They’re busy with tow tractors, fuel trucks, baggage carts, and sometimes maintenance crews stepping into your path.

• Aircraft in motion: With wings, rotors, and jet blasts involved, distractions can turn into safety hazards not just for you, but for everyone nearby.

Distractions aren’t just about phones. They include anything that pulls your focus away from the task at hand. A loud radio, a chatty co-worker in the vehicle, a gust of wind catching loose items, or even fiddling with a device’s settings can momentarily steal your attention. The airfield rewards a steady, attentive approach.

A practical way to think about it: the airfield is a dynamic balance of signals, markings, and human movement. If you’re not fully tuned in to those signals, you miss the subtle cues that keep traffic flowing safely. You know those moments when you sense something just isn’t right, even if you can’t put your finger on it? That’s the time to be extra careful, not to double-check a notification.

What to do instead: stay focused and deliberate

If you want to keep things running smoothly, you’ve got to rule out distractions before you even roll forward. Here are concrete habits that help most people stay in the zone:

• Hands on the wheel, eyes on the path: Keep both hands on the steering wheel and your gaze on the taxiway, runway exits, and vehicle ahead. It sounds simple, but it’s powerful.

• Radios and alerts: Use radios and warning chimes only as needed. If a message comes through that requires action, acknowledge and respond quickly, then return to steady focus.

• Pre-drive check: Before you move, do a quick mental map of your route. If you know you’ll pass an intersection, a holding point, or a crossing, picture the timing in your head. That planning buys seconds when something changes.

• Limit conversations in the cab: A short pause for a crucial instruction is fine. Prolonged chat can wait until you’re parked or cleared to a safe spot.

• Manage your environment: Secure loose items, secure containers, and fasten seatbelts. A tidy cabin reduces the chance of small surprises turning into big distractions.

• Know your route and signals: Familiarize yourself with common taxi routes, runway crossing points, and the color or shape of signals that indicate permission to proceed. The more you know, the less you have to read on the fly.

• Pre-load essential info: If you’ll encounter a signal or light change, make a mental note of the light timing or pattern you’ll see. Expect that you’ll need to respond quickly and correctly.

Let me explain how this plays out in real life. You’re taxiing toward a busy intersection where a forklift may back into your path and another aircraft is on a parallel taxiway. A quick glance at a text or a glance at a screen could cause you to miss a clearance or a crosswalk signal. Suddenly, you’re reacting rather than acting. The best move is anticipation—knowing what you’ll do before it’s necessary.

The right way to handle signage and markings (and why it matters)

Distractions aside, signs and markings are your map on an airfield. They guide you through the maze of taxiways, runways, and ramp spaces. The rule is simple: follow them diligently. When you stay aligned with signs and markings, you stay in the safe lane, even if you’re tempted to improvise.

Here’s how that translates to daily moves:

• Read signals early: If a light changes, you should know your response before you reach it. That means observing from a safe distance and adjusting speed smoothly.

• Respect runway crossings: Runway crossings are high-stakes moments. You must be certain that clearance exists before continuing. If you’re unsure, wait for official confirmation.

• Use marked routes: Taxiways and parking spots are laid out with careful planning. Stay on the lane that the markings indicate, even if a shortcut pops into your mind. Shortcuts at the airfield tend to be longer in risk than they seem.

• Align with the ground guide: In many operations, a ground marshal or vehicle guide helps you. Follow their instructions precisely; it’s a team effort to keep everyone safe.

These practices aren’t merely bureaucratic rules. They’re a shared rhythm that prevents conflicts and keeps the flow predictable in a place where planes move at various speeds and directions.

Common situations where staying focused pays off

Airfields are full of small, telling moments that reveal how important attention is. A couple of quick scenarios illustrate why the no-distraction rule isn’t negotiable:

• Crossing paths with a taxiing aircraft: An aircraft cutting across a taxiway has the right of way in many cases. If you’re not looking and listening for radio calls and pilot signals, you risk a near-miss.

• Working near the ramp: People and vehicles move in tight quarters. A pedestrian stepping around a terminal vehicle needs you to be ready to stop or steer away safely.

• Entering a runway environment: When you’re near or crossing a runway, the airfield rules tighten up. You must be acutely aware of inflow and outflow traffic, and you must follow hold points exactly.

• Receiving a clearance from control: Clearances can come with precise timing. If you’re multi-tasking or not paying full attention, you might miss a crucial instruction or misinterpret it.

In all these moments, your job is to stay calm, be deliberate, and keep your actions measurable and predictable.

A few extra tips you’ll actually feel using day to day

• Put the phone away. Yes, it’s tempting, but the airfield isn’t the place for screens. If you need to refer to a map or a checklist, pull over to a safe spot first.

• Talk it out, not in. If you’re driving with a partner, quick, precise communication beats long, drawn-out chatter. Short confirmations keep you aligned.

• Dress for the job. Comfortable clothing, supportive shoes, and good visibility help you respond quickly. The fewer distractions in your gear, the better.

• Stay physically fresh. Fatigue slows reaction times. If you’re tired, take a break in a safe, designated area before resuming duties.

• Practice makes practical. Regular, brief drills or simulations can help you recognize distractions in real time and revert to a calm, controlled mode when needed.

A closing thought: safety is a shared responsibility

Airfield safety isn’t a solo sport. It’s a collective habit built from small, consistent choices. The choice to avoid distractions—especially mobile devices—significantly improves your ability to read signals, respect markings, and react appropriately. When you stay focused, you protect yourself, your team, and every aircraft that shares the field with you.

If you’re ever in doubt about a signal, a clearance, or a potential risk, slow down and ask for guidance. Err on the side of caution. The airfield rewards careful, deliberate action more than it does quick, impulsive moves. And that’s a rule you can rely on, day after day, shift after shift.

Final takeaway: the simplest, strongest rule is this—keep your attention on the task, not on screens or side conversations. Distracted driving, such as using a mobile device, is the one thing to avoid at all costs on the airfield. Stay focused, follow signs, respect signals, and move with purpose. In that steady rhythm, you’ll find safety—and you’ll help everyone around you stay safe too.