What should operators do when approaching a service area?

When approaching a service area, it's crucial for operators to slow down and yield to other vehicles. This ensures the safety of all personnel and equipment in the vicinity. Service areas are often busy with various types of vehicles and personnel, and maintaining a reduced speed allows operators to react quickly to changing conditions and ensure that they can safely navigate around any obstacles, including pedestrians or other vehicles entering or exiting the area.

Yielding to other vehicles is particularly important in a busy environment like an airport where many different operations are occurring simultaneously. This practice helps to maintain a smooth flow of traffic and reduce the risk of accidents, as visibility may be limited and the space can often be cramped.

In contrast, accelerating to get through quickly can lead to dangerous situations, as it may prevent operators from noticing other vehicles or people in the area. Driving in reverse is typically not recommended in crowds or service areas due to visibility issues and potential collisions. Ignoring traffic controls undermines the safety regulations put in place to manage airside operations and could lead to serious safety risks.