8 Sep 2009

Samoa changes from right to left hand drive

10:48 am on 8 September 2009

Samoa has now officially switched to driving on the left hand side of the road as the government's controversial road switch law takes effect today.

Road signs have been erected to remind drivers to keep left and follow white directional arrows painted on the road.

Sara Vui-Talitu reports from Apia.

"At the crack of dawn a crowd of about a few hundred people gathered for a short service outside the fire station before the switch. A row of cars, fire engines and ambulances lined up on the right hand side of the road and shortly after 6am local time vehicles then switched sides to the sound of fire engines, sirens, horns clapping and cheering. Traffic lights are also now been turned on at intersections and traffic is heavy as it seems many cars have driven out to be part of history."