Incentives to Encourage Safety Belt Use

Most Americans eventually will be involved in a motor vehicle crash. This fact alone should be sufficient incentive for people to take advantage of safety belts-the single most important and effective safety equipment in a motor vehicle. But for as many reasons as there are people, nearly a third of U.S. motorists don't use safety belts. Since most Americans are employed (including non-belt users), employers can influence usage by making it a firm company/organization policy that belts will be used when driving or riding on official business. Effective belt use policies should include a system of incentives and recognition to encourage employee compliance. Examples:

 

• Offer rewards for the division or unit that first returns 100 percent signed belt use pledge cards (a day off, pizza delivered for lunch, after hours party, recognition in company/organization newsletter, VIP parking close to the building, etc.)
  
• Give away premiums with a belt slogan, such as key chains, buttons, T-shirts, mouse pads, etc.
  
• Present child safety seats as baby gifts to employees who are expecting a child (or grandparents expecting a grand child).
  
• Post a safety belt honor roll prominently in a public place.
  
• Provide cash bonuses or extra vacation time for employees who save the company/organization money by having their belts on when involved in a crash.
  
• Use signed belt use pledge cards for weekly prize drawings for movie tickets, meals at local restaurants, amusement park tickets, TVs, luggage, etc. Encourage local merchants to donate prizes in the interest of promoting community safety and goodwill. Have a grand prize that builds enthusiasm-like an all expense paid trip to an exciting destination.
  
• Make belt use (and non-use) a discussion item during performance reviews. Reward those who buckle up and take disciplinary action against those who refuse to follow the company policy.
  
• Encourage employees to promote belt (and child safety seat) use in their social, civic and religious activities, and recognize those who do so.

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