Dedication 'Drives' Their Performance

City Place Station Letter Carrier/ad hoc Driver Safety Instructor (DSI) Craig Boddie instructs City Carrier Assistant Michael Bailey to make a right-hand turn after coming to a complete stop at the stop sign. 

Palms Central Station Letter Carrier/ad hoc Driver Safety Instructor (DSI) James Timmerman explains the clearance for a Long Live Vehicle (LLV) to City Carrier Assistant Sherice Smith.

Story & Photos: Karin Nolf, A/Customer Relations Coordinator, West Palm Beach 

When new employees need certification to drive a Long Life Vehicle (LLV), the West Palm Beach Post Office has a team of ad hoc Driver Safety Instructors ready to prepare the trainees with the requirements. On a closed course at the West Palm Beach Processing and Distribution Center, the trainees walk the course with their instructor for direction on the necessary patterns for driving within road paths, stopping at all stop signs and parking parameters. Next, they climb in, fasten their seat belts and start the engines to begin their driving experience with a Right Hand Drive vehicle.

Palms Central Station Letter Carrier, Stanley “Skip” Weaver has been an ad hoc Driver Safety Instructor for the past two years. He enjoys sharing his experience with new City Carrier Assistants (CCAs) and Rural Carrier Assistants (RCAs).

“I feel gratification in giving back to the future of our business and preparing new employees to be the best and safest drivers,” said Weaver.  

City Place Station Letter Carrier Craig Boddie enjoys being an ad hoc Driver Safety Instructor just as much as his Park and Loop route. He provides instruction to new CCAs.

“It is a pleasure to be able to share my driving knowledge while employed with the U.S. Postal Service,” said Boddie. “I feel good knowing that each day I am able to make a difference in someone’s career with our great company.”

Palms Central Station Letter Carrier James Timmerman has recently been given the opportunity to join the Safety Department as an ad hoc Driver Safety Instructor and has the same teaching values as co-workers Boddie and Weaver.

“I enjoy being a part of the training process and using my carrier experience of driving to educate and motivate new employees,” Timmerman said.

Palms Central Station Letter Carrier/ad hoc Driver Safety Instructor (DSI) James Timmerman shows City Carrier Assistant Sherice Smith which path to drive on the training course.