The Indiana Department of Transportation is urging residents along state roads and U.S. highways to prepare their mailboxes for winter weather.
INDOT says snow and ice removal is their top priority during winter months.
While the agency’s yellow plow trucks generally travel slower than the posted speed limit and drivers are careful to avoid mailboxes, the weight of snow thrown from plows can cause damage to mailboxes that are not properly secured or have weak supports.
To mitigate possible damage, INDOT recommends placing a mailbox as far from the edge of the roadway as a mail carrier can reach.
Clearing snow from the access area near a mailbox can ensure safer delivery of mail and reduce the amount of snow coming off a plow.
INDOT also recommends homeowners place reflective tape on mailboxes so they can be seen at night.
In addition, homeowners are encouraged to inspect their mailboxes on a regular basis for rust or other damage.
