By Michael Morrah
Some rural Samoans have come up with a dangerous solution to next week's road rule changes, ignore them.
On Monday, Samoa will become the first country in 40 years to switch to driving on the other side of the road.
Some villagers on the island of Sa'vaii are not expected to follow the rules.
On the streets of Apia, the depth of opposition to changing the way Samoa drives was made clear earlier this week.
Villagers against the change even went to the Supreme Court, but failed to appeal the rule change.
Roina Vavatau, an opponent to the change, says there should be a delay in implementing the rules.
“We wanted to have a delay since we were not successful with the court case,” he says.
“We had anticipated that the best that we want to request from the government is to delay it further.”
Mr Vavatau’s request was ignored and on Monday the rules will change, but some villages near the main port of Sa'vaii are vowing to continue to enforce driving on the right hand side - even if only on the one kilometre stretch of road in their village.
Protest organisers say the change is being implemented in an undemocratic way, and some village chiefs or matai's will ignore the rules.
Samoan Community Leader Litea Ah Hoi says the village chiefs want to maintain there local authority.
“They are very proud to retain their position of authority even to the extent of defying central government,” she says.
Samoan leader Fa'amatuainu Tino Pereia says the change is positive for Samoa.
“I think for Samoa it will harmonise Samoa’s driving patterns with the rest of the region,” he says.
“Not only that but also with the two significant countries of the region, Australia, and New Zealand which will then allow Samoa to have some sort of mobility within its own country.”
Mr Tino Pereira says September 7 will get off to a bumpy start but the majority off the 160,000 will eventually see sense in the change.
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