Some time ago I've seen an interesting study regarding people response to stress.
About 10% will remain calm and do whatever necessary to exit safely the danger area.They will find the right way to do it.
The most percentage ,something like 80% will behave like cattles,will wait to be ordered to do something.They'll be in shock ,but they'll do what they are told to do.They'll even start to do normal things,like getting up,get stuck on the isle and trying to remove the handluggage.
The rest 10 % will act as mofts,attracted by the flame.A small percentage of the people will ,in shock,jump directly into fire.
This was,unfortunately,what happened in Manchester accident,where most of the people were unable to leave the plane safely.They all get stuck while trying to remove their belongings,or tring to exit the doors at the same time.
Regarding your question,hmm,maybe some autolocks that will lock the overhead compartments during crises will help encouraging people to leave their stuff on the plane and get out fast.
Brgds...
Alex
about the AF340 evac,you said it was a bit slow?They've said on tv something about 50 sec?Don't trust the pax ,they'll think it was a lot longer.