Post Office: Central Floridians, Stop Running Into Our Buildings
For the eight time this year, a vehicle rammed into a U.S. Post Office building in the Central Florida area. Considering that the U.S. Postal Service has been having financial troubles these last few years, it has become an unnecessary expense for them to continue repairing avoidable building damages. So, they would like to remind drivers to exercise safe driving practices and have issued a few safety tips on preventing accidents that occur on their properties.
In Punta Gorda, Florida on Monday, a customer that was attempting to slowly get out of a parking spot, stepped on the gas pedal instead of pressing the brakes. The vehicle then accelerated towards post office building and smashed into a front pillar. Luckily, there were no reported injuries.
According to a USPS press release, the two main causes for auto accidents by the public at their facilities by drivers are: pressing the gas pedal when the drivers were attempting to stop the vehicle and thought they were stepping on the brakes; accelerating forward rather than backwards, which occurs when the driver thinks the vehicle is shifted on revers but is instead shifted on drive.
USPS’s basic massage is to encourage drivers to be aware and patient, especially around the parking lot area. Parking lots at their facilities have quick turnover times. On average, vehicles last less than five minutes at a parking space. Patience is important because accidents can occur in one second or less.
A quick glace of precautious suggestions the USPS offers drivers to adopt while zipping in and about their facilities are:
• Avoid distracted driving – pay attention to other vehicles, don’t fidget with the stereo or cell phone until you park.
• Be patient at the parking lot – cautiously and slowly enter and exit parking spaces, especially when backing out.
• Double check the pedal to foot position – make visual contact with your feet before turning on the engine and shifting out of a parking space to be sure that your foot is on the appropriate pedal.
• Double check shifting position – be aware of what gear your vehicle is on. If you want to move your vehicle back make sure it’s on reverse, or if you want to park, that your vehicle is in park (if it is an automatic).
While USPS’s press release highlights Central Floridians, post office accidents can happen anywhere and while only eight incidents were officially reported, in such cases, there are usually more accidents that occur go unreported. If you or someone you know were injured in a post office accident, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact our auto accident attorneys now!