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Source: ONE News -
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Samoans are looking to God to help them survive a radical road rule change that sees their Pacific nation switch to driving on the left.
On Tuesday, Samoa will end a century-old tradition of European-style driving, on the right, to become aligned with its Pacific neighbours.
The controversial move will make car importation from Australia and New Zealand easier and cheaper.
But the move has been fiercely opposed , with thousands taking to the streets in protest and backing a law suit to have the change overturned.
Opponents argued that it was dangerous and would cause chaos on Samoa's poorly-surfaced and badly-maintained roads.
Several Australian experts who addressed the court hearing have also predicted loss of life and dozens of crashes as people struggle to come to terms with the change.
But last week, the courts ruled it would go ahead as the country's prime minister hoped.
Despite some bus drivers threatening to go on strike and two villages claiming they will block commuters passing through their town, the mood is now one of reluctant acceptance.
Almost all of the country's 180,000 residents are spending their last day of right-side driving saying prayers to safeguard the country.
"People are starting to accept it and are going to church today to pray in the hope it's all going to be okay," said Keni Lesa, editor of the national newspaper Samoa Observer.
The secretary of the biggest denomination, the CCCS Church in Samoa, said it had decided to "bless not just the church but the whole country at this vital time".
Lesa said he'd heard reports of some people attempting to drive on the left before the official changeover, "though I don't know if they were doing it by accident or because they are crazy".
The change is enacted at 6am Monday, Samoa time, with the prime minister declaring a two-day holiday and a three-day ban on alcohol sales to make it as smooth as possible.
Traffic regulations like speed restrictions and use of seat belts, which have been historically ignored by police, will now be heavily monitored.
Signage warning drivers to "keep left" has been erected and traffic bumps have been laid country-wide to help keep accidents to a minimum.
Samoa is the first country in almost 40 years to attempt to switch driving sides.
ONE News Pacific Correspondent Barbara Dreaver is in Samoa for the switch. Watch ONE News at 6pm for her coverage.
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