Several Sundays ago I wrote a blog about why the British drive on the left hand side of the road, and the fact that it was the original side for passing on, even made so by a proclamation by the Vatican. I explained how it was the French during the French Revolution who started driving on the right hand side of the road.
WHY UK DRIVES ON THE LEFT
This week, I came across some news, which wile not really "UK NEWS" does show you refer to what most Americans thinks strange and that is driving on the left hand side of the road.
On the island of Samoa last Monday at 0600 local time (2200 EST) sirens sounded and drivers were told to move from the right side to the left. They are the first country to make this change since 1970's and it has taken place without any accidents being reported since the switch on Monday, despite widespread predictions of road mayhem from opponents.
A two-day holiday was declared to ease traffic as people got used to the new rules. A three-day ban on alcohol sales was also introduced to deter accidents.
The one group of people who did not think about this change are the Samoan Bus Owners.
All but about 18 of the Pacific island nation's buses are banned from driving because their doors now open onto the middle of the road.
The Samoan government introduced the change to end its reliance on expensive, left-hand-drive imports from America. Also to bring Samoa into line with other South Pacific countries.
Barry
Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com
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