Samoa switches to driving on the left side

Hundreds lined streets in the capital, Apia, on Monday to witness the switch from the right to the left on the country’s highways as police manned scores of checkpoints, warning drivers to slow down.

Despite predictions of chaos by opponents, there were no immediate signs of driving difficulties.

The switch from right to left side driving is being ushered in with a two-day national holiday to cut traffic volumes and a three-day ban on alcohol sales to avoid road crashes.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi broadcast the formal instructions for drivers to switch sides on the highways at 6am local time (1700GMT Monday).