12 Mar 2008

Samoa PM reveals key steps to follow before switching road side takes place

5:13 pm on 12 March 2008

Samoa's controversial proposed road traffic bill will be tabled in parliament this week as the house debates the findings of a special parliamentary committee on two petitions against the switch to driving on the left hand side.

The Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, says their are three stages in the change.

The first of these is the importing of right hand drive vehicles which began last month.

The second is a ban on left hand drive vehicles when the legislation is passed, to be followed by the switch to driving on the left side of the road.

Tuilaepa says the change will benefit the whole country, especially low-income families and farmers.

He has also told parliament that even Samoans migrating permanently overseas will benefit because they will more easily acquire driving jobs in New Zealand.