Out of the 1.3 million road deaths that occur each year, roughly 90% occur in the developing world.
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Research finds complaining to bus drivers could prevent traffic deaths
Georgetown University investigators have found ample evidence that bus drivers act more safely when passengers are encouraged to speak up.
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A growing body of research suggests those rates might fall if people complained more.
Over the last eight years, Georgetown University researchers have found one of the cheapest, most effective ways to minimize the number of traffic fatalities in Kenya is to place stickers inside matatus, or minibus taxis, that encourage passengers to speak up if their driver is being unsafe.
Drivers, meanwhile, are incentivized to place the stickers in their buses because it grants them entry into a weekly lottery for cash prizes.
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One study in 2010 of 2,500 matatus and another in 2015 of 12,000 matatus found that evocative stickers led to fewer deaths and insurance claims. Drivers also reduced their average speed if their buses carried stickers warning passengers of speeding, the research found.
Researchers estimate the program prevented 140 accidents and 55 deaths per year.
GiveWell, a nonprofit that analyzes charities for their effectiveness, recently announced it was considering including Zusha! (Swahili for "protest") on its upcoming list of top charities of 2017, due out in November.
GiveWell points to some compelling data from the randomized trials — namely, that something as small as a sticker cut collision rates by up to two thirds in the pilot study and up to one third in the larger follow-up study, just due to people feeling comfortable complaining.
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