Heckle and Chide: Results of a randomized road safety intervention in Kenya

James Habyarimana and William Jack

Journal of Public Economics, 2011, vol. 95, issue 11, 1438-1446

Abstract: We report the results of a randomized field experiment aimed at improving the safety of long-distance mini-busses or matatus in Kenya. Our intervention combines evocative messages aimed at motivating passengers to speak up against bad driving with a lottery that rewards matatu drivers for keeping the stickers in place. Independent insurance claims data were collected for more than 2000 long-distance matatus before and after the intervention. Our results indicate that insurance claims fell by a half to two-thirds, from a baseline annual rate of about 10%, and that claims involving injury or death fell by 60%. While we are unable to identify the mechanism(s) underlying this effect, the intervention is more cost effective in reducing mortality than other documented public health interventions.

Keywords: Road safety (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (19)

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Working Paper: Heckle and Chide: Results of a Randomized Road Safety Intervention in Kenya (2009)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:95:y:2011:i:11:p:1438-1446

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2011.06.008

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