Samoa has reversed an earlier ban on left hand drive vehicles.
Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele told reporters during his weekly press conference that the change is due to rules of the World Trade Organization of which Samoa is now a member and because some people are wanting to bring in American vehicles, which he described as gas guzzlers.
Samoa banned left hand drive vehicles after the country switched to driving on the left side of the road.
The PM said while left hand drive vehicles from American Samoa and the US will be allowed, Samoa will strictly enforce the policy of only vehicles manufactured in 2009 up to now will be accepted.
He said no begging on bended knee to get the minister or CEO of the Land Transport Authority to give exceptions to this rule will work.
“And don’t think of coming to me…Ill just send you back to the minister,” said Tuilaepa.
The Samoa Observer quotes the Land Transport Authority saying that up to 100 left hand drive vehicles will be allowed in per month.
Since the switch to right hand drive vehicles, traffic jams in urban Apia at peak hours in the morning and after work have been exacerbated.
Most of the vehicles are being sent home by relatives in New Zealand and Australia, helped by the seasonal workers scheme where hundreds of Samoans have earned paychecks picking fruit.
