Driving and Parking Rules, Routing, Tunnels and Railroad Crossings
On the road
A hazmat load drives like any heavy vehicle but with less margin for error. Slow down before curves, brake smoothly, and keep the center of gravity low - rollovers are the classic hazmat crash. Placarded vehicles must follow posted hazmat routes; Illinois and local agencies designate routes and restrictions, so read the signs rather than trusting a GPS.
Railroad crossings
Under 49 CFR 392.10, a vehicle required to be placarded must stop before every railroad crossing, within 50 feet but no closer than 15 feet from the nearest rail, unless the crossing is officially exempted. Stop, look both ways, listen, turn on flashers, and do not shift gears while crossing. Never start across unless you can clear the tracks completely.
Parking
Park a placarded vehicle off the roadway, at least 5 feet from the pavement edge, on firm ground, with the brake set and wheels chocked. When carrying explosives, stay at least 300 feet from bridges, tunnels and buildings where people live or gather. Keep well clear of open flames, and keep the vehicle attended - a placarded load should not be left unobserved.
Tunnels
Do not smoke in a tunnel, keep moving, turn on headlights, and never stop except for traffic. Some tunnels and expressway segments ban placarded loads outright, so check the signs before entering.
Worked example
A placarded tanker reaches a crossing where a red signal and queued traffic block the far side. The correct action is to stop 15 to 50 feet back and wait until there is room to clear the tracks entirely; starting and stopping on the rails is the classic failure.
Traps
Rolling through a crossing that has no lights; parking under a bridge for shade; entering a tunnel that bans placarded loads; shifting gears on the crossing; and leaving the truck unattended.