Why Drivers in China Intentionally Kill Pedestrians They Hit

Incentives serve as powerful motivators that can drastically influence human behavior, often in unexpected and negative ways. A stark example from China illustrates how an incentive—where a driver must financially support a victim if they don't die after being hit—can lead to perverse outcomes. Drivers may intentionally act to ensure the victim does not survive in order to evade long-term responsibilities, highlighting the potential for harmful behaviors when incentives are misaligned.