Belleville Post Office Letter Carriers honored for safe driving

For most drivers, luck would play a role in driving accident-free for 30 years. However, Belleville, MI Post Office letter carriers will be the first to tell you it’s not a matter of luck; it’s a matter of taking the time to drive safely no matter how much of a hurry other people are in.
Now imagine the equivalent of driving 334 times across the country or 40 times around the globe each without ever leaving the city limits, and imagine doing it safely, under hazardous road conditions, gridlock, rural terrain, and with a vigilant eye on inattentive drivers.
As a result of their achievement, Letter Carriers Tina Debord and Michelle Rodriguez were honored at a Million Mile Club awards ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 9, at the Belleville Post Office, 45601 S. I-94 Service Drive, Van Buren Township.
Rodriguez is a Safety Captain for the Belleville Post Office and is serious about reminding co-workers about safety.
“I remind everybody how to stay alive,” she said. “Safety doesn’t stop at work. Carry over healthy habits at home, too.” Rodriguez maintains her healthy habits at home as an instructor for a cardio class.
“When driving, I watch my surroundings,” said Debord. “You can’t predict when a child, dog, or an unsafe driver will suddenly appear. You can only control yourself when driving so I am always on alert.”
“Our postal drivers are amongst the safest drivers in the nation,” said Detroit District Manager Karlett Gilbert. “The safety of our employees is our top priority, and we are proud our comprehensive safe driver training program is second to none.”
Each driver was presented with a plaque from the Safety Council and automatic membership in the prestigious National Safety Council “Million Mile Club.” The million-mile award is a lifetime enrollment, and it is given to drivers who have accumulated one-million miles or 30 years of driving without being involved in a preventable motor vehicle accident. According to the National Safety Council, it takes about 30 years to accumulate one-million miles.
Rodriguez and Debord agree that defensive driving is the key to safety. They attribute their accident-free driving to being constantly alert for dangers, anticipating the actions of other drivers, paying attention to their surroundings, looking ahead, checking mirrors, following the rules of the road, and giving themselves enough time to react in a safe manner.