(a) The secretary of transportation may adopt rules and regulations for the safe transportation of hazardous materials.

(b) Any person operating a vehicle transporting any hazardous material as a cargo or part of a cargo upon a highway shall at all times comply with rules and regulations of the secretary adopted under this section.

(c) Every such vehicle shall be marked or placarded at such places as prescribed by such rules and regulations.

(d) Every such vehicle shall be equipped with fire extinguishers of a type, size and number approved by the secretary, filled and ready for immediate use, and placed at convenient points on the vehicle.

(e) Violation of this section is a misdemeanor.