Samoa: All Change!

monster · 09-08-2009, 02:13 PM

Samoa switches to driving on the left

To be more in lne with other South Pacific countries nad not to have to rely on American vehicles, Samoa has switched to driving on the left. at 6am, drivers had to change sides of the road. there is a two day holiday to relieve traffic.

Now, having moved from a country that drives on the left to a country that drives on the right, I have contemplated that at some point there might be changes to get the whole world in synch. But I assumed it would end up with everyone driving one the right. Guess there will always be two ways of doing things, because America will never switch

(hell they won't even go metric).

and the other thing that suprised me, is that I'd thought that if a country ever changed over, there would be a period of a few hours where all non-urgent traffic was stopped, and then resumed again on the other side. not an "ok now everytone cross the median at the same time and then carry on" instant. Apperently it all went ok, though

Flint · 09-08-2009, 02:30 PM

On a related note: all Samoans who are asked, "How's it hangin'?" are legally required to answer "To the left."

glatt · 09-08-2009, 02:49 PM

Switching over to driving on the other side of the road is a really big change. They should ease into it gradually.

classicman · 09-08-2009, 03:45 PM

I think there should be a period of time, say 2 weeks or so, when they can drive on either side, then the formal change should be implemented.

DanaC · 09-08-2009, 04:46 PM

I can't find the article now but there was something on the BBC News site about the possibility of bringing the UK into sync as well.

monster · 09-08-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman

I think there should be a period of time, say 2 weeks or so, when they can drive on either side, then the formal change should be implemented.

Ah, so that's what's going on in Ohio, then

Pie · 09-08-2009, 07:45 PM

Just found this on incredimazing.

Aliantha · 09-08-2009, 08:13 PM

This new rule made me laugh for a number of reasons, but mostly because I doubt most of the locals give a rats arse which side of the road they drive on.

TheMercenary · 09-09-2009, 08:21 AM

It would be a great investment to own a wrecker/tow service there now.

BrianR · 09-10-2009, 05:34 AM

I must ask...

Do the Samoans now redesign their whole driving world? Drive-thrus? Curbside check-in at the airport? Parking meters? How about lane markings such as arrows and stop lines? (you know, the white bar that means Stop Here, but which is widely ignored?)

I imagine the local McDonalds is a mess this morning.

ZenGum · 09-10-2009, 07:34 AM

To celebrate this law, the PM did a lap of the country in his car.

TheMercenary · 09-10-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum

To celebrate this law, the PM did a lap of the country in his car.

How long did that take? 30 min?

busterb · 09-11-2009, 08:01 PM

When working in Nigeria, years ago, a guy swore the the newspapers had a post that said was changing sides of road.
To avoid confusion, the trucks would change one day and cars the next.

tw · 09-11-2009, 10:43 PM

Is it civil disobedience to protest - and still drive on the right?

Gives a whole new meaning to ‘thou doest protest too much’.

xoxoxoBruce · 09-12-2009, 12:45 AM

You right-laners are always causing trouble.

09-08-2009, 02:13 PM	#1
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Samoa: All Change! Samoa switches to driving on the left To be more in lne with other South Pacific countries nad not to have to rely on American vehicles, Samoa has switched to driving on the left. at 6am, drivers had to change sides of the road. there is a two day holiday to relieve traffic. Now, having moved from a country that drives on the left to a country that drives on the right, I have contemplated that at some point there might be changes to get the whole world in synch. But I assumed it would end up with everyone driving one the right. Guess there will always be two ways of doing things, because America will never switch (hell they won't even go metric). and the other thing that suprised me, is that I'd thought that if a country ever changed over, there would be a period of a few hours where all non-urgent traffic was stopped, and then resumed again on the other side. not an "ok now everytone cross the median at the same time and then carry on" instant. Apperently it all went ok, though __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

09-08-2009, 02:30 PM	#2
Flint Snowflake Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dystopia Posts: 13,136	On a related note: all Samoans who are asked, "How's it hangin'?" are legally required to answer "To the left." __________________ **************** There's a level of facility that everyone needs to accomplish, and from there it's a matter of deciding for yourself how important ultra-facility is to your expression. ... I found, like Joseph Campbell said, if you just follow whatever gives you a little joy or excitement or awe, then you're on the right track. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Bozzio**

09-08-2009, 03:45 PM	#4
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	I think there should be a period of time, say 2 weeks or so, when they can drive on either side, then the formal change should be implemented. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

09-08-2009, 07:45 PM	#7
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	Just found this on incredimazing. Attached Images __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

09-08-2009, 08:13 PM	#8
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	This new rule made me laugh for a number of reasons, but mostly because I doubt most of the locals give a rats arse which side of the road they drive on. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

09-08-2009, 02:49 PM	#3
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	Switching over to driving on the other side of the road is a really big change. They should ease into it gradually.

09-09-2009, 08:21 AM	#9
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	It would be a great investment to own a wrecker/tow service there now. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

09-10-2009, 05:34 AM	#10
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	I must ask... Do the Samoans now redesign their whole driving world? Drive-thrus? Curbside check-in at the airport? Parking meters? How about lane markings such as arrows and stop lines? (you know, the white bar that means Stop Here, but which is widely ignored?) I imagine the local McDonalds is a mess this morning. __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

09-10-2009, 07:34 AM	#11
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	To celebrate this law, the PM did a lap of the country in his car. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

09-11-2009, 08:01 PM	#13
busterb NSABFD Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: MS. usa Posts: 3,908	When working in Nigeria, years ago, a guy swore the the newspapers had a post that said was changing sides of road. To avoid confusion, the trucks would change one day and cars the next. __________________ I've haven't left very deep footprints in the sands of time. But, boy I've left a bunch.

09-11-2009, 10:43 PM	#14
tw Read? I only know how to write. Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 11,933	Is it civil disobedience to protest - and still drive on the right? Gives a whole new meaning to ‘thou doest protest too much’.

09-12-2009, 12:45 AM	#15
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	You right-laners are always causing trouble. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

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