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SEAT BELTS REGULATIONS
CITY & RURAL CARRIERS

Information correct at time of posting.

City Delivery Carriers
From Handbook M-41, City Delivery Carriers Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Seatbelts must be worn at all times the vehicle is in motion (812.3). Exception for Long Life Vehicles: In instances when the shoulder belt prevents the driver from reaching to provide delivery or collection from curbside mailboxes, only the shoulder belt may be unfastened.
  • The lap belt must remain fastened at all times the vehicle is in motion (812.3).
  • Do not finger mail while driving or hold mail in your hands while the vehicle is in motion (812.4).

See Right Column for Rural Carrier Regulations
 

Need to contact the Shared Human Resources Center? Here you go:

HRSSC/Compensation & Benefits
PO Box 970400
Greensboro, NC 27497-0400

Call: HRSSC at 1-877-477-3273
Fax: 336-662-4070

 

Rural Carrier Seat Belt Regulations
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:

  • Distance between stops.
  • Traffic density and weather conditions.
  • Road design characteristics, such as number of intersections traversed, road shoulder width, and surface conditions.

Other factors affecting safety (171.51.b.(3)).

Do not finger mail while driving or engage in other unsafe practices when the vehicle is in motion (171.8).

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