This was in Vietnam. The reason they stayed in the tracks is the tank would set off the anti-personnel mines. The only anti tank counter measure was an RPG coming through the turret causing a spalding action.
Modern antipersonnel mines can actually have fuses/detonator mechanisms that *won’t* go off if a tank drives over it but will if infantry steps on it. Riding on the tank or walking in the ground pressure shadow of the tank is a better idea in areas with modern mines.