Do Postal Vehicles Have the Right of Way in Most States?

In most states, postal vehicles do indeed have the right of way, but it's essential to understand the specifics.

In 47 states, postal vehicles are allowed to use flashing red lights and sirens to alert other drivers to their presence.

If you're driving and encounter a postal vehicle with flashing red lights and sirens, it's crucial to yield immediately, regardless of traffic signals.

In some states, postal vehicles are also given the right to use special lanes, such as bus lanes or HOV lanes, to ensure timely delivery of mail and packages.

Mail trucks do not have the right of way over all vehicles, including emergency vehicles. In fact, a 1912 example from a newspaper "Notes & Queries" column already pointed this out.

The fact-checkers at Snopes dug deeper and found no state with a vehicle code specifying that mail trucks have the right of way over all vehicles. They also found no federal statute giving mail trucks the right of way.

In California, mail trucks do not have the right of way, as confirmed by Bill Madison, the spokesman for the California Department of Motor Vehicles. He stated that mail trucks must pull to the side of the road to let emergency vehicles pass.

In New Jersey, postal vehicles have the right of way on the road after a stop and reentry into traffic, just like buses. However, this is not a blanket rule that applies to all situations.

In the early 20th century, a common debate emerged about mail trucks having the right of way, but it was ultimately proven that they don't.

The fact-checkers at Snopes thoroughly researched the matter and found that no state has a vehicle code giving mail trucks priority over all vehicles, including emergency vehicles.

Mail trucks do not have the right of way, and they must pull to the side of the road to let emergency vehicles pass, as confirmed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

This is in line with standard traffic laws, which apply to all vehicles equally.

Some states have specific laws regarding mail trucks, and Virginia is one of them. The state's Move Over law requires drivers to change lanes away from stopped vehicles that are flashing lights.

In Virginia, drivers must give mail trucks a little extra room to move over so they can continue on their route safely. This law applies to any vehicle stopped on the side of the road with flashing red, blue, or amber-colored lights.

As a result, drivers in Virginia need to be aware of the law and give mail trucks the space they need. If a driver is unable to cross lanes safely, they must slow down when approaching the vehicle in question.

Violating the law is a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia, which could include a year of jail time or a $2,500 fine.

Mail trucks don't have the right of way over all vehicles, including emergency vehicles. In fact, they must pull to the side of the road to let emergency vehicles pass, just like other vehicles and pedestrians.

The fact-checkers at Snopes dug deep to settle this debate and consulted with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, which confirmed that mail trucks don't have priority on the road.

No state in the US has a vehicle code that gives mail trucks the right of way over all vehicles, and there's no federal statute supporting this claim.

In New Jersey, postal vehicles have the right of way on the road after a stop and reentry into traffic. This means drivers should yield to postal trucks.

Drivers should be aware that postal vehicles are often on the road at night and in rural areas, which can increase the risk of accidents. Postal workers are out on highways and rural roads at night to deliver packages.

If you see a postal truck with amber flashing lights on the back, give it a little extra room to move over so that the driver can continue on their route safely. This is especially important during the holiday season when mail carriers are processing up to 60 million packages a day.

In Virginia, the Move Over law requires drivers to change lanes away from stopped vehicles with flashing lights, including postal trucks. If you can't cross lanes safely, slow down when approaching the stopped vehicle.

Violating the Move Over law is a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia, which could result in a year of jail time or a $2,500 fine.

The mail truck right of way debate has been going on for over a century. As early as 1887, people have been debating whether postal vehicles have the right of way over emergency vehicles.

There are some interesting arguments out there, such as the idea that mail trains once had a legal right of way and that mail trucks should still have the right of way because of this historical precedent. However, this argument doesn't hold up to scrutiny.

According to Snopes, which settled the debate for once and all, there is no state with a vehicle code specifying that mail trucks have the right of way over all vehicles, including emergency vehicles. In fact, most states, including California, don't give mail trucks the right of way.

In New Jersey, drivers are expected to yield to vehicles with the right of way, including emergency vehicles, postal vehicles, and pedestrians. This means that mail trucks don't have the right of way, and drivers should give them plenty of space when they're stopped on the side of the road with flashing lights.

It's worth noting that postal workers are often out on rural roads at night, making deliveries in the dark, and drivers should be extra cautious when passing them. If you see a mail truck with flashing lights, give it a little extra room to move over so that they can continue on their route safely.