PHOTO INFORMATION: Three New Braunfels, TX, Letter Carriers were recent recipients of the National Safety Council's Million Mile Award, for having gone over 30 years, or one million miles, without a vehicle accident.  Pictured, from left to right, Rio Grande District Manager Steven Hernandez; Manager, Post Office Operations RIO 23 Shannon Verastiqui; Letter Carriers and Million Mile Award recipients Ronny Shafer, David Smith, and William  Mueller; and Postmaster Elias Olvera.

NEW BRAUNFELS, TX — New Braunfels Letter Carriers Ronny Shafer, David Smith, and William Mueller have joined the thousands of Postal Service employees who have individually driven more than a million, accident-free miles.  They were recently inducted into the prestigious National Safety Council’s “Million Mile Club” for thirty years of accident-free driving on the job. 

Shafer, Smith and Mueller were recently presented with a special Million Mile Club plaque by USPS Rio Grande District Manager Steven Hernandez during a brief recognition ceremony held at the New Braunfels Post Office with their co-workers.  To be qualified for Million Mile Club status, a professional driver must have driven accident-free for either 30 years or a million miles.  Shafer, Smith and Mueller started their Postal Service careers in 1981, 1978 and 1986, respectively, and each has driven over 30 years without a preventable motor vehicle accident qualifying them for the distinguished driver award.

How did they do it?
• Drive defensively — expect the unexpected.
• Maintain a safe distance of one car length for every 10 mph between you and the car in front.
• Be courteous, use turn signals and obey all laws.
• Keep your options open — have a “what to do if I’m cut off” strategy.
• Turn off mobile devices when driving — no cell phones or texting.

“Safe driving is no accident,” said New Braunfels Postmaster Elias Olvera. “The safety of our employees is our top priority, and we are proud that our comprehensive safe driver training program is second to none.”

According to the National Safety Council, more than 9,500 Postal Service employees have achieved a distinction most people never approach in their lifetimes — driving more than a million, accident-free miles. No other business comes close.

The nation’s 31,000 plus Post Offices are linked by nearly 228,000 vehicles — the world’s largest civilian fleet. More than 300,000 letter carriers and truck drivers log more than 1.2 billion miles annually when delivering to America’s 156.1 million addresses.

Since 2005, over 9,500 Postal Service professionals have driven more than a million miles without a single accident. Reaching this pinnacle requires a safe attitude that entails driving 1 million miles or 30 years without a preventable incident.

Safe Driving Habits Start With Good Training:

Driving for the Postal Service is a privilege. All drivers must demonstrate safe-driving practices throughout their careers. Behind-the-wheel job candidates undergo a rigorous screening, training and certification process to earn credentials to operate a right-hand drive postal vehicle.

After a review of state driving records, candidates undergo a thorough medical examination and an extensive interview process. They then take a web-based 4-hour defensive driving training course, followed by a 1-hour defensive driving debrief conducted by driver safety instructors who reinforce key safe-driving topics covered in the web-based course.

Candidates then become familiar with the vehicle through behind-the-wheel training on a mock driving course. The skills course acclimates candidates to driving postal vehicles under various conditions on an ‘off-road’ course that simulates street conditions. Their performance is evaluated on a final drive prior to becoming certified to operate Postal Service vehicles.

Information on the National Safety Council’s Safe Driver Program is located at www.nsc.org/usps. Questions can be directed to National Safety Council Customer Relations at 1-800-621-7619 or uspsawards@nsc.org.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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