Villagers snub Samoa's road switch

At least two villages in rural Samoa have engineered a dangerous solution to a Government plan to switch to driving on the left: don't do it.

The Pacific nation is just three weeks away from a monumental road rule change but the Government is facing a growing backlash from islanders angry about the switch.

The residents of at least two villages have decided not to allow cars through their town unless they are driving on the right, says action group People Against Switching Sides.

"Any car that comes through the village will have to drive on the other side of the road or not be allowed through," said member Viopapalii Annandale.

"Obviously this is a recipe for total chaos and they plan to do it because they are very angry."

Samoa is the first country to attempt a road switch since Iceland and Sweden in the 1960s.

But there are fears the country, with its low Government spending, poor infrastructure and high speeding and drink-driving rates, will not be able to pull off the switch with the ease of the Europeans.

As well, Samoans drive American-style left-hand drive cars like their neighbours in American Samoa and most will not be able to afford to buy right-hand drives for some time.

The switch is the brainchild of the country's Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, who thinks it makes more sense to be aligned with Australian and New Zealand rules and believes it will encourage the importing of more vehicles.

But several organisations from the Chamber of Commerce to the local automobile association have labelled the move expensive and ludicrous.

People Against Switching Sides has launched a legal challenge, to be heard by the courts on August 17, that claims the switch is unconstitutional because the Government cannot guarantee Samoans' right to life.

"What we're saying is that people will die as a result of this," Ms Annandale said.

While Ms Annandale is "very optimistic" of a positive ruling for the action group, others such as Samoa Observer editor Keni Lesa say the switch is likely to go ahead regardless.

"Most people are against the switch and [the group] has a lot of support but knowing how arrogant this Government has become, it's going to happen."

- AAP