Why is the steering wheel on the opposite side in the postal vans?

Answer 1

Opposite side is the same side as the mail boxes. So they can deliver efficient & fast by not having to stop get out & start again.

Answer 2

In more rural areas (like where I live) people put their mail boxes on the side of the road. Because of this the mail carrier has to be able to reach out of the vehicle and put the mail into the box. This would not be possible to do unless the carrier drove on the wrong side of the road (very dangerous) or the drivers side is reversed which is what they do.)

In larger cities of course mail carriers walk or enter postal rooms to deliver mail. But even then they have to get out of the vehicle as safely as possible which means the right hand side (curbside.)

Answer 3

I assume you might be talking about postal vans in the USA as it is not the case in the UK.
The reason behind this is because the driver makes frequent stops and can exit onto the curb rather than into oncoming traffic, thereby making their job safer, the same is true for trash trucks in the USA.

Answer 4

because the mail boxes that are on the curb are easier to access with the driver being on the right side of the car, this way the mailman doesn't have to stop the truck, get out, and put the mail in, he can just keep going

Answer 5

because mail drivers can lean out the window and put mail in the boxes while still driving on the correct side of the road

Answer 6

So they don't have to lean over to the right to get to mail boxes.
Here in Vt, some local mail is delivered with ordinary cars, and they have to sit in the middle and do the brake/gas with their left foot.

Answer 7

well did you ever notice which side of the street the mail boxes were on when your driving on the right side of the road.

Answer 8

All the above is true but it also makes them ideal for shipping to UK for 'weird-car nuts' to play with.