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USPS · Situational Judgment

You are on your route and realize you have accidentally picked up and are carrying mail destined for a different route. What should you do?

  1. A Deliver it anyway to save time
  2. B Return the misrouted mail to the station before completing your route, or contact your supervisor for guidance on the correct procedure
  3. C Leave it in a nearby mailbox
  4. D Throw it away

Why this is the answer

Delivering mail to wrong routes causes delays and misdeliveries. The correct action is to return misrouted mail through proper channels — either returning to the station or contacting your supervisor. This may add time to your day, but accuracy is more important than speed. Leaving mail in random boxes or discarding it are serious violations.
Source: USPS 474 VEA, Mail Accuracy

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