Final answer:
It is illegal to park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant and within 50 feet of a railroad crossing, representing public safety and emergency response needs. Therefore, the answer is both a and b. Option 3 is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether it is illegal to park within a certain distance of a fire hydrant or a railroad crossing pertains to traffic laws and regulations. The question provides two specific instances where parking restrictions are typically enforced:
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
These restrictions are put in place to ensure public safety and to allow emergency responders and trains to operate without obstruction. In most jurisdictions, both of these restrictions are indeed enforced. Therefore, the correct answer is:
3) both a and b
It is legal for emergency situations, such as when driving someone to the hospital who is in urgent need of medical attention, to sometimes bypass ordinary traffic laws, such as running a red light (given that it is done safely and the situation warrants it). These exceptions are carefully considered in terms of the greater good or utility, which aligns with the ethical principle of Rule Utilitarianism (RU).