Postal carriers, ATVs: Near misses

October 10, 2008 04:57 pm

— Within the past month, two Princeton rural letter carriers have been involved in collisions with ATVs while delivering mail. In both cases the ATV operator was traveling at a high rate of speed and lost control when approaching the rural carrier’s vehicle.
There are 11 rural routes at Princeton Post Office. These rural carriers travel approximately 540 miles per day while delivering mail.
Most ATVs that we observe while delivering the mail are traveling at excessive speed, are operated by young operators, do not wear protective head gear and are probably not carrying insurance. Our carriers are often involved in “near misses” with ATVs.
Our intent in writing this letter is to bring to your attention this very serious situation in the hope that something may be done to protect our rural carriers as well as the ATV operators. We have reviewed our state’s laws covering the operation of ATVs on public highways and believe that better enforcement of existing laws would help the situation.
Many of the ATVs we observe are in flagrant violation of WV law.
Any help that legislators, law enforcement personnel, or the general public could provide would be appreciated.
The Princeton Post Office
Quality of Work Life/Employee
Involvement Team