Before winter takes hold and snow plows hit the roads, the Ottawa County Road Commission asks Michigan residents to prepare by shaking their mailboxes this month.

“Our top priority is to maintain a safe and efficient road and right-of-way system for county residents,” said Ottawa County Road Commission Communications Administrator Alex Doty. “It is a resident’s responsibility to ensure his or her mailbox is secure.”

Per OCRC policy, 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.

Any mailbox located within the county road right-of-way that does not conform to this policy shall be considered an unauthorized encroachment and subjected to removal in a manner consistent with the Road Commission’s encroachment policy and the relevant provisions of Michigan law.

The road right-of-way is typically 66 feet wide, or 33 feet each direction from the centerline of the road. The right-of-way is maintained by county road agencies 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 that can topple a wobbly mailbox. And digging a mailbox out and reinstalling it in frozen ground is no picnic.

The Ottawa County Road Commission has policies in place regarding replacement of mailboxes that have been hit by a snowplow. 

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 be out in coming weeks preparing for winter maintenance operations,” Doty said. “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.”

The Ottawa County Road Commission has served Ottawa County in improving county roads and bridges since 1911.