Across municipal government departments, promoting safe driving habits is essential to protecting employees and reducing preventable losses. The City of Mullins has taken a creative and refreshingly simple approach to encouraging seat belt use.
Holly Jackson, city administrator, recently observed the city’s employees arriving in their municipal vehicles, and with a purpose. When an employee was found wearing their seat belt, they were rewarded with a small token of appreciation — a cup of candy -- with a message of "You've been caught wearing your seatbelt!”
While the gesture may be modest, the impact is meaningful.
This initiative demonstrates the power of positive reinforcement in shaping workplace behavior. Rather than focusing solely on enforcement or discipline, the program recognized and celebrated employees who were doing the right thing. Recognition builds goodwill, strengthens safety culture and reinforces expectations in a way that employees will remember.
From a risk management perspective, consistent seat belt use is one of the most effective ways to reduce injury severity and workers’ compensation exposure in vehicle incidents. Programs that encourage safety compliance — especially those that foster engagement rather than resistance — support both employee wellbeing and organizational resilience.
The City of Mullins’ approach is a reminder that effective safety initiatives do not always require complex systems or significant cost. Sometimes, leadership visibility, personal interaction and small acts of recognition can help drive lasting behavioral change.
This initiative offers several takeaways for other municipalities. They can consider incorporating positive reinforcement strategies into existing safety efforts. Whether a city is using recognition programs, informal incentives or leadership engagement to boost safety, the simple acknowledgement of safe behavior can be a powerful complement to traditional policies and training.
Creating a culture where safety is noticed — and appreciated — helps ensure it becomes a shared value, rather than just a requirement.