OAKLAND, CA — For most drivers, luck would seem to play a role in avoiding an accident. However, for seven Oakland Airport Branch letter carriers it’s more than a matter of luck to be able to drive a million miles without a preventable accident; they will be the first to tell you it’s a matter of focus, defensive driving, and paying attention, especially to distracted drivers.  

On Thursday, February 21, 2019, at 8:00 a.m., at the Airport Branch, 8495 Pardee Drive, this select group of mail carriers will be inducted into the National Safety Council “Million Mile Club.” Receiving their membership into the prestigious club will be Edgardo Tabian, Daniel Martinez, Paulson Martinez, Reynaldo Cardenas, Michael Balolong, Connie Kwan and Marietta Corgile.

Connie Kwan says, “Thinking about the one who cares about me reminds me to drive carefully.”

Reynaldo Cardenas says, “Avoiding distraction, thinking ahead and staying focused on driving, has kept me safe.”

According to Daniel Martinez it is all about mindset; since he was hired, his goal was not to have any accidents and served as a motivation to keep alert at all times.

Edgardo Tabian says, “Be patient, be cautious and be aware of your surroundings.

Each city letter carrier made the equivalent of 334 trips across the country and back without ever leaving the city limits and not so much as a fender bender. The achievement is truly remarkable when you factor in the hazardous road conditions, gridlock, rural terrain, and constantly dodging careless drivers along the way.

‘Our postal drivers are among the safest in the world,” said Bay-Valley District Manager Robert Reynosa. “The truly remarkable achievement by our Oakland Airport Station mail carriers demonstrates how postal employees continue to deliver on the promise of delivering their best every day with care, courtesy and concern for the safety of others.”

Each driver will be presented with a plaque from the Safety Council and automatic membership in the prestigious National Safety Council “Million Mile Club.” The million-mile award is a lifetime enrollment, and it is given to drivers who have accumulated one million miles or 30 years of driving without being involved in a single preventable motor vehicle accident, a truly remarkable achievement according to the National Safety Council.

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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