What must buses and trucks carrying flammable liquids do at railroad tracks?

Buses and trucks carrying flammable liquids must stop between 15 and 50 feet before the railroad tracks as a safety precaution. This requirement is in place to ensure that the driver has ample time to observe any oncoming trains and assess the situation before proceeding. The distance allows the driver to make a clear and safe judgment about whether it is safe to cross, considering the potential hazards posed by the cargo being transported. This protocol helps to prevent serious accidents involving hazardous materials and train collisions, which can have catastrophic consequences.

The other options do not adhere to the safety measures governing vehicles transporting flammable materials. Stopping at a distance shorter than 15 feet could place the vehicle too close to the tracks, increasing the risk of a collision with a train. Proceeding without stopping, regardless of the absence of visible trains, does not take into account the possibility of trains being obscured or arriving unexpectedly. Reporting to the railroad before crossing is not a standard requirement and may not be practical or timely in every scenario. Thus, the correct protocol emphasizes stopping at the specified distance to maintain safety.