Eoin Butler: writer, journalist and Mayoman of the Year
Tripping Along The Ledge
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HERE COMES THE LILT MAN…
I must say that I’m really fascinated by the road traffic switchover currently underway in Samoa. This is the first time such a move has been attempted in my lifetime, although similar switchovers have apparently been done in the past in Nigeria, Ghana, Yemen and Okinawa.
The rationale behind the decision seems sound enough (cheaper car imports), but the logistics are mindboggling: A two day public holiday, reduction on the speed limit and three day ban on the sale of alcohol. The Congregational Christian Church of Samoa has held prayer sessions for an accident-free changeover, while Samoa’s Red Cross carryied out a blood donation campaign in case of a surge of accidents.
So far, everything seems to have gone smoothly. But this Australian expert reckons there may be trouble ahead…
[* Yes, I know Lilt was supposed to be Jamaican. But you try writing these captions!]
September 9th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
“It ain’t polyn-easy!”
You can have that one. Love the drink ban, and the acceptance it implies.
September 9th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Well according to that article the Prime Minister told his people not to drive if you are “sleepy, drunk or just had a fight with your wife.”
September 9th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Saw that, I love the campaign group name “People Against Switching Sides”, that works on 2 levels, and a contradictory acronym to boot!
September 9th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Whatever about Samoa – small island, pop less than 180,000, modern communications etc. How the fuck did they change over in Nigeria in the 1970s with 150m people and, presumably, shit communications networks???
September 9th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
@ Conal – People Who Don’t Mind Girls Switching Sides if they Want to Experiment and Stuff… acronym doesn’t work though.
@ Matt – from the BBC website:
I’m Nigerian and I remember back in the 70s we switched from driving on the left to driving on the right and there were the same concerns about chaos and confusion, especially when one considers the reckless nature of most Nigerian drivers. In actual fact, the changeover went quite smoothly without the chaos that many had predicted. It also brought uniformity with the neighbouring countries, thus reducing delays at the borders. I have no hesitation in recommending the same to others.
Taiwo Hollist, Lagos, Nigeria
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/8241911.stm
September 9th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Also did it in Sweden in 196Os. Often seems an anticlimax, not nearly as much confusion as peopel imagine.
September 14th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
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