For most drivers, luck would seem to play a role in avoiding an accident. However, 35 Tampa letter carriers will be the first to tell you it’s not a matter of luck; it’s a matter of focus, paying attention and being a defensive driver.
Now imagine driving the equivalent of 334 times coast-to-coast with not so much as a fender-bender along the way; and imagine doing it safely, under hazardous road conditions, gridlock, rural terrain, and avoiding inattentive drivers in a hurry.
Last month, nearly three dozen letter carriers were inducted into the National Safety Council “Million Mile Club.” The ceremony was held at Valpak in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Receiving their membership into the prestigious club included: Mary Almeter; William Alvarado; Karen Caldespino; Donnette Cervantes; Robert DeSantis; Paul Falica; Michael Fisher; Donald Forrest; Steven Glower; Elba Gonzalez; Larry Hall; James Hamilton Jr.; Angel Hernandez; JoAnn Kubly; Mary Kress; Brian Langel; Fidel Linares; Matthew Loechelt; Richard Marrero; Sharon McCommons; Francisco Montalvo; Raymond Morales; Brad Perez; Julio Pesquera; Joseph Plant Jr.; Cash Randels; Joseph Restivo; John Rowland; Reinaldo Saltares; James Sanders; John W. Syron; Peter Vaile; Frank Vazquez; Jose Vazquez; and Joe Villa.
“Our postal drivers are among the safest in the world,” said Tampa Postmaster Jacquelyn Villemaire. “The truly remarkable achievement by our Tampa carriers demonstrates how postal employees continue to deliver their best every day with care, courtesy and concern for the safety of others.”
Each driver will be presented with a plaque from the National 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 single preventable motor vehicle accident, a truly remarkable achievement according to the National Safety Council.
