Despite the best written rules and regulations, in the end safety often comes down to personal choices. Choices lead to actions, and the wrong actions cause accidents.
Driving a vehicle is an important responsibility. When your attention is diverted — even for a moment — you and the vehicle can become a danger to yourself, other vehicle occupants, other drivers, and pedestrians.
People do the strangest things behind the wheel of a vehicle. Drivers have been observed operating vehicles while eating food, combing their hair, putting on makeup, reading newspapers, talking on cell phones, and drinking coffee! These actions distract the driver, who should be paying full-time attention to safely operating the vehicle.
When you are behind the wheel, be sure to focus on the task at hand — driving. Remain alert. Be aware that other drivers may be distracted. Make good choices.
Specific guidance for city delivery carriers and rural delivery carriers is provided below.
From Handbook M-41, City Delivery Carriers Duties and Responsibilities:
From Handbook PO-603, Rural Carrier Duties and Responsibilities:
- 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 (171.51.b.(1)).
- Exception: 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 (171.51.b.(1)).
- 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 (171.51.b.(2)).
- 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:
- Do not finger mail while driving or engage in other unsafe practices when the vehicle is in motion (171.8).
Remember that driving safely is a choice. Make your personal choice safety.
— Safety and Environmental Performance Management,
Employee Resource Management, 11-8-07
