BENICIA, CA — In a world of easy driver distractions, three Post Office letter carriers maintained their focus and concern on the safety of themselves and others on the road.

On Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 8:30 am at 290 E. L St., Benicia, CA 94510, three Benicia letter carriers will be inducted into the prestigious National Safety Council “Million Mile Club.”

Honorees include: Willy Santos, Gary Gomez, and Carlton McCollumn.

The secret to staying accident-free starts with having the right mindset. “Safety has always been my first priority,” said Santos. “Getting a Million Mile Award, to be recognized for my many years of practicing safety at work at all times, for me it’s a big deal and I really appreciate it very much.  It is very important to be considered like a role model for younger generations of carriers.” Santos is set to also receive recognition for his retirement after 35 years of service. A dedicated carrier who served as a trainer to new carriers coming into the Postal Service, this award is a proud reflection of his dedicated service.

This is the mindset you’d expect from Postal Service mail carriers who have each driven the equivalent of circling the earth 40 times, all without a moving violation or accident, while maneuvering hazardous road conditions, gridlock, rural terrain, and avoiding careless drivers along the way.

“Safety doesn’t take a day off,” Gomez states. “Like a stamp to an envelope, stick to safety until you get to your destination.” As a tribal council member, Gomez adds, “So many years ago, I looked up to the elders to follow their path, and now I am an elder and I take pride in being an example and mentoring to the new generation. “

And, it’s about more than the driver, McCollumn adds “I am humbly grateful for this award from the Postal Service and I am wishing all the other drivers the same success in the future. All life is precious!”

Nationally, postal drivers log more than 1.5 billion miles annually while delivering to more than 159 million homes and businesses in every city, suburb and town in America as they make the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

“Safety is not just a buzz word, our postal drivers take safety very seriously,” said Benicia Postmaster Judith Corbett. “The truly remarkable achievement by our 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.

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