The following policy on seatbelt use, closed vehicle door, and authorized passengers was issued on June 11, 1984. This policy is being published in a Postal Bulletin notice due to the number of recent inquiries on this subject, indicating that some offices may not have received the policy revision in June. The previously published policy in Postal Bulletin 21440 (1-12-84) is being revised to provide an exception to that portion dealing with closed vehicle doors. The following is a present policy on seatbelt use, closed vehicle doors and authorized passengers:
Seat Belts must be worn at all times the vehicle is in motion. When traveling to and from the route, when moving between park and relay points, and when entering or crossing intersecting roadways, all vehicle doors must be closed. When operating a vehicle on delivery routes and traveling in intervals ot 500 feet (1/10 MILE) or less at speeds not exceeding 15 MPH between delivery stops, the door on the driver's side may be left open. Rural Carriers will follow the policy outlined in Handbook M-37, Rural Delivery Carriers Duties and Responsibilities, Section 161. This document contains two Article 14 related issues; a Postal Service Directive on Page 1, and a Step 4 Agreement on Page 2.
Document Type: Postal Service Directive
APWU National Grievance Number: None