The main body is almost comically tall, while the flat, low-rise front end sports an extra-thick bumper. Meanwhile, the windshield is equally huge in order to match the frame’s size. Taken altogether, and the resemblance to a duck’s head is uncanny. But according to the USPS, the explanation behind the oddly proportioned, fowl-like mail trucks is pretty simple—it’s all about substance over style.
“There are several important reasons for this design choice,” a spokesperson told Popular Science.
First and foremost is safety. The giant windshield provides a much wider line-of-sight than the soon-to-be-retired Grumman Long Life Vehicles. This is also the principal reason why the front bumper is so chunky.
“It provides better protection for the driver and the vehicle in the event of a collision,” they explain, adding that its size makes it better at absorbing impact by reducing the force transmitted to the driver and the truck’s “vital components” in the event of an accident.
