The U.S. Postal Service on Friday asked Floridians to stop crashing into post offices in the state after a spate of collisions in 2012.

Three post offices in South Florida and 14 overall in the state have been struck by vehicles in 2012, it says.

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They are "Stepping on the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal" and "Accelerating when the vehicle was in drive and the customer thought it was in reverse," the Postal Service said in a press release.

In South Florida, post offices have been hit by vehicles in North Miami on Jan. 19, Surfside on April 26 and Miami on July 31, a Postal Service spokeswoman Debbie Fetterly said.

In the latest incident, a customer drove a vehicle into the lobby of the Goulds Post office at 22350 Old Dixie Highway, Fetterly said.

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The Postal Service urged its customers to stay alert and attentive when driving in post office parking lots. In particular, the USPS gave these tips to drivers when they are pulling in and out of parking spaces:

• Avoid distracted driving.

• Proceed slowly and carefully when pulling in, and backing out, of parking spaces.

• Visibly check to see whether your foot is on the gas pedal or the brake pedal.

• Visibly check to see if the vehicle is in Park, Reverse or Drive.



“Customers in post office parking lots may have their minds on everything but driving, as they run their daily errands,” the Postal Service said. “Post Office parking lots have quick turnover times, with cars parked for less than five minutes. It only takes one second for an accident to occur.”

An accident can result in serious injuries or even deaths, the Postal Service said.

In 2012 customers have driven through eight post offics in the Suncoast District, an area that includes central Florida, including Orlando, as well as Tampa and the southwest coast and part of Florida's east coast from Daytona to Vero Beach.

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