| Break-Away Systems are a Requirement |
|
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD), which is the national
standard used for all roads open to public
travel, states that roadside mailbox supports
shall be breakaway or yielding. This applies
to all roads, publicly or privately owned.
Many state highway agencies already
comply but many local agencies may not be
aware of this requirement.
Both the FHWA and TAPCO understand that
all non-compliant supports can not be
replaced overnight. The FHWA actually
stated that all supports on roads with an
mph of 50 or greater shall be replace by
January 2013. The best way to go about
meeting these standards would be to begin
using these breakaway systems when
replacing damaged posts or when installing
a new support.
Please follow the guidelines of your DOT
and begin installing your mailboxes safely
today. Not only will you relieve yourself of
liability if an accident occurs—You may save
somebody's life!
For more information or would like to place
an order please contact TAPCO today!! |
| |
|
| IS MAILBOX
SAFETY THAT
IMPORTANT? |
|
It's estimated that there may be as many as 20
million mailboxes on rural roads / streets and
another 10 to 15 million on suburban streets.
Every year the United States Postal Service
encourages the owners of these 20 million
mailboxes to ensure that their roadside mailboxes:
1) protect mail from adverse weather
2) are consistently located and
3) are “SAFE TO USE”
Unfortunately little attention is paid to the fact that
many mailbox designs pose a deadly fixed object
hazard to motorists. In fact it is estimated that there
may be as many as 700 deaths nationwide each year
due to these unsafe hazards.
With safety becoming a higher priority, the MUTCD
is trying to become more involved. Some state
agencies such as the Texas Highway Department
and the Louisiana Department of Transportation
also have made strides in making sure their mailbox
supports meet NCHRP 350 and MUTCD standards.
The time is here for all state agencies and local
municipalities to jump on board and make roadside
safety a number 1 priority. Motorists and
Pedestrians deserve it! |
| |
| MAILBOX STANDARDS |
|
Here are the standards according to the FHWA and
MUTCD:
Single Mailbox Support System:
An acceptable support for a mailbox would include a 48”
steel post with the patented V-Loc breakaway anchor (See
picture on left) and bracket kits to meets a federally sized
#1 standard or #2 large mailbox. Standard mailboxes
range from (19”x61/2”x8-1/2”) to (21”x8”x10-1/2”). |
 |
These supports are both AASHTO recommended and
NCHRP 350 and FHWA approved.
Multiple Mailbox Support System: An acceptable support for a 3-5 mailbox application
would include a post that is 56” wide at the top and 48”
high. (See picture on left). This post would come with the
patented V-Loc and 4 to 5qty bracket kits pending on the
size of the bracket. State highway DOTs suggest that the
mailboxes be spaced apace apart at the distance equal to
at least 75% of the height of the box. |
| |
Streetsigns TOC | Luminaires TOC | Poles TOC | Posts TOC
TRAFFIC
AND PARKING CONTROL CO., INC.
800 WALL STREET
ELM GROVE, WI 53122
PHONE: 262-814-7000
FAX: 262-814-7017
TOLL FREE: 1-800-236-0112
TOLL FREE FAX: 1-800-444-0331
TAPCO, Inc. Copyright ©
2008
Streetscapes from TAPCO
| 
