The small pacific state of Samoa today became the first country in 40 years to change from driving on the right side of the road to the left!

Officials are predicting widespread chaos as the change takes place leading to a national ban on alcohol. Whilst the country's largest Christian denomination is offering blessings to help the switch go smoothly.

The government wants to bring Samoa into line with Australia and New Zealand to encourage some of the 170,000 expatriate Samoans there to ship used cars – with steering wheels on the right side – home to relatives.

But the Samoan government introduced the change to end its reliance on expensive, left-hand drive imports from America.

It hopes that Samoan expatriates in Australia and New Zealand will now ship used, more affordable vehicles back to their homeland.

The main reason for the switch is to encourage some of the 170,000 expatriate Samoans living in Australia and New Zealand to ship used, more affordable right hand drive cars over to their relatives living on the remote island to end the country's reliance on US left hand drive cars!

Critics have accused the government of pushing the change through without adequately preparing drivers - concerned that more accidents will occur in the long run as now the drivers doors will open onto the wrong side, into the middle of the road.

Prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has called for calm, stating that
"The time is right for us," and that he had driven on the left in London saying that "It took me only three minutes and I knew how to manoeuvre,"

Only time will tell if this was the 'right' decision.

Article by supersupertv