|
HANDBOOK PO-603 REVISION
Revised Rural Carrier Duties and Responsibilities
Effective immediately, Handbook PO-603,
Rural Carrier Duties and Responsibilities, is revised to clarify
the requirement that all rural carriers be positioned in the vehicle behind
the steering wheel when traveling to and from the route, between Postal
ServiceTM units, and during any deviations from the established line of
travel. It also extends the requirement for carriers to wear seat belts
during deviations from the established line of travel regardless of the
type of motor vehicle used. In addition, the revision addresses rural
carrier positioning and seat belt use when operating a privately owned
left-hand drive vehicle during delivery and collection activities.
Handbook PO-603, Rural Carrier Duties and Responsibilities
Chapter 1 General Information
* * * * *
120 Basic Carrier Responsibilities
Your responsibilities include, but
are not limited to, the following items:
* * * * *
[Revise text of item e to read
as follows:]
e. Providing and maintaining
a vehicle (if a USPS- owned/leased vehicle is not provided) of adequate
size, equipped with necessary equipment (chains or snow tires, warning
lights, or signs, etc.), free of extraneous matter, that reflects a professional
and positive image of the USPS, to serve the route safely and efficiently
and in accordance with federal, state, and local motor vehicle laws and
regulations. (Sections 171.512 (b) and (c) address the special case of
left-hand drive vehicle seat belt use and driver positioning.)
* * * * *
170 Traffic Safety and Accident
Reporting
171 Traffic Safety
171.1 Laws and Regulations
[Revise text to read as follows:]
Traffic accidents frequently result
in costly property damage, severe injuries, and death. For your protection,
and that of other motorists, drive safely at all times. Remember that
rural carriers have no special driving privileges on public streets and
roads. You are subject to the same traffic laws and regulations as
other motorists. (Sections 171.512 (b) and (c) address the special
case of left-hand drive vehicle seat belt use and driver positioning.)
* * * * *
|
171.5 Protection
171.51 Federal Employees' Compensation
Act (FECA)
* * * * *
171.512 Seat Belt Requirements
- Driving Own or Postal Vehicle
* * * * *
[Revise items a, b, and c to read
as follows:]
a. Seat belts must be worn
at all times when operating a Postal Service-owned or -leased vehicle.
If a privately owned right-hand drive (RHD) vehicle is used on the route,
seat belts must be worn at all times and the carrier must be positioned
directly behind the steering wheel whenever the vehicle is being operated.
Carriers driving RHD vehicles equipped with both shoulder and lap belts
may disengage the shoulder belt only in those situations when the shoulder
belt prevents their ability to deliver or collect mail from curbside mailboxes.
The lap belt must be worn at all times the vehicle is being operated.
A privately owned vehicle fully equipped with dual controls (steering
wheel, brake, and gas pedals) is considered an RHD vehicle for the purpose
of this requirement.
b. When operating a privately
owned left-hand drive (LHD) vehicle, seat belts must be worn and the carrier
must be positioned directly behind the steering wheel when traveling to
and from the route, between Postal Service units, and during any deviations
from the established line of travel beyond one-half mile for delivery,
including travel between routes when service is provided on more than
one route. A privately owned vehicle partially equipped with dual controls
is considered an LHD vehicle for the purpose of this requirement.
c. If a privately owned
left-hand drive (LHD) vehicle is used on the route, it is advisable that
the rural carrier use seat belts and be positioned behind the steering
wheel when delivery and collection activities do not unduly encumber,
delay, or fatigue the rural carrier. When using a privately owned LHD
vehicle on the route, the rural carrier may operate the vehicle without
use of the seat belt and/or without being positioned directly behind the
steering wheel provided the carrier determines it is safe to do so. The
rural carrier should consider the following factors when assessing the
use of the seat belt and appropriate seating position:
1) Distance between stops.
2) Traffic density and
weather conditions.
3) Road design characteristics,
such as number of intersections traversed, road shoulder width, and surface
conditions.
4) Other factors affecting
safety.
[Delete section 171.513.]
* * * * *
We will incorporate these revisions
into the next printed version of Handbook PO-603.
— Rural Delivery,
Delivery and Retail, 11-10-05
|
