Trucks carrying hazardous materials can now cross empty railroad tracks without stopping

The US is proposing a rule change for commercial truck drivers. They would no longer have to stop at railroad crossings if the warning lights are off and no train is coming.

For decades, drivers of buses and trucks carrying hazardous materials had to stop at every railroad crossing, even if it was clearly empty. This rule was meant to prevent accidents, but it also caused delays and wasted fuel. The change means these drivers can now proceed without stopping if the active warning devices are not engaged, which should save time and fuel for thousands of trips daily.