October-Annual “Shake Your Mailbox”, 2018
Cass County Road Commission asks Michigan residents to prepare for winter by shaking their mailbox in the month of October.
A mailbox is the only object allowed by law that homeowners can place in the road right-of-way. The location and construction of mailboxes must conform to the rules and regulations of the United States Postal Service and nationwide standards established by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
The road right-of-way is typically 66 feet wide or 33 feet from the centerline of the road. The right-of-way is maintained by county road commissions and is used for residential and public utility purposes.
Over the years, a mailbox post can rot or become wobbly. By grabbing and shaking it, a resident can know if it’s secure. Snow coming off a plow going 35 miles per hour has surprising force and digging a mailbox out and reinstalling it in frozen ground is no picnic.
Our number one job is to maintain a safe and efficient road and right-of-way system, and responsibility for ensuring a mailbox is strong, goes to the resident.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Cass County Road Commission has policies in place regarding replacement of mailboxes that have obviously been hit by a snowplow. However, road agencies are not responsible for mailbox damage caused by standard snow removal operations. The road commission does have some important advice for residents.
Residents should prepare mailboxes for winter by tightening screws and ensuring the post and box are secure enough to endure large amounts of snow that is thrown. If the mailbox moves when shaken, the box may need to be repaired or replaced before winter.
We will begin preparing for winter maintenance operations in the coming weeks. Each fall we find mailboxes that pose a serious roadside hazard to motorists and a liability risk for homeowners. Damage to posts and receptacles can often be prevented by proper routine maintenance.
If you have questions on what is permitted, please contact Cass County Road Commission at 269-445-8611 Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. You may also check our website at casscoroadmi.gov or our Facebook page for detailed information on the USPS mailbox guidelines.
