[Shop-talk] Mailbox to end all mailboxes

[Steven Trovato]

Here is some interesting (well, not THAT interesting) reading for you:
(I live in NY.  Haven't found the NJ equivalent yet.)

https://www.nysdot.gov/divisions/engineering/design/dqab/hdm/chapter-10/roadside-safety/mailboxes

http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/1000/1700/1702/moh.pdf

It is not clear to me just what the laws actually are on this, but 
immovable mailboxes are certainly discouraged.  This seems to be more 
the domain of the relevant highway department than the post 
office.  And they seem equally concerned about other things in their 
right of way, so I don't know if your guard rail idea would meet with 
their approval either.  And then there could always be a liability 
issue.  I always used the 4x4 post with the arm sticking out, like 
sold in Home Depot and elsewhere.  I found that the plow would always 
break the arm holding the box off from the post from the twisting 
action.  I made my own in more of a "T" style, with the box mounted 
so it is centered over the post.  I have found this much more able to 
withstand the blast of snow from the plow.  If the plow actually 
drives over the thing, the plow is going to win.  And this doesn't do 
anything to thwart vandals with nothing better to do.  As for the box 
itself, I just use a cheap one and keep a spare one on hand.  Six 
screws and it is replaced.  Buy another spare next trip to the 
store.  Of course this strategy works if it is a once a year 
thing.  If it happens every other day, you'll have to come up with a 
different plan.

-Steve Trovato
strovato at optonline.net

At 06:47 PM 6/27/2009, eric at megageek.com wrote:
>I have a question about mailbox posts.  Does anyone know if there is a
>requirement for your mailbox to "break away" if a car hits it?