7 Sep 2009

Readying road switch, Samoa tackles obstructions

3:35 pm on 7 September 2009

Samoa's Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure says the few people within some rural villages who are vandalising signs and painted arrows on the road won't deter the switch to the left hand side from going ahead.

The road signs have been erected to remind drivers to keep left and follow white directional arrows painted on the road from tomorrow when Samoa switches from driving on the right hand side.

Laulii on the island of Upolu is one of the villages where signage and markings have been vandalised.

But Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveao says they are now working to correct it and he is telling people driving through those villages to keep left from Monday.

"Some people of Laulii have been identified, so police are dealing with that. It's not the whole village, and the village is also working with us to try and bring the renegades on board, so to speak, but it's a very small minority."

Tuisugaletaua Sofara Aveao says about 70 speed humps have been put down on Upolu and over 40 on Savaii to ensure people don't drive fast.

A liquor ban is in force over the two day public holiday.