Which procedure should you follow to ensure safe ground vehicle crossing when a runway is active?

• A. Clear to cross immediately if you think it is safe
• B. Hold the vehicle short of the runway to maintain separation
• C. Allow crossing after telling the pilot to hurry
• D. Direct another aircraft to stop to permit crossing

Answer: (B)

When a runway is active, maintaining separation between vehicles and aircraft is essential. Vehicles must not enter the runway area unless ATC explicitly clears them to cross. The safe, correct approach is to hold the vehicle short of the runway at the designated hold line and wait for a proper crossing clearance. This positioning keeps the vehicle out of the active path while aircraft are landing or taking off and gives the controller time to sequence traffic and confirm there’s adequate separation.

This is safer than assuming it’s okay to cross, attempting to hurry pilots, or trying to stop or reroute other traffic without proper coordination. Explicit clearance from ATC ensures a safe, coordinated crossing.