Road Rage Policy For Now Anyway

Written by Pio Sioa
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
The indignation raging out of the motor vehicle industry over the proposed road switch policy by Government is understandable. Anticipated losses run into the millions and survival in some cases is under serious threat if the policy goes ahead. Naturally, the general business community is in jitters as well, and will become increasingly so, as the full extent of real financial damage unfolds. The losses incurred by the motor vehicle industry can deal a serious blow to the local economy and the business community is anxiously wary of the fact. Aside from the economic front, what looms as the most chilling concern, is people killed on the roads, either as drivers, passengers or pedestrians. The safety of valuable property becomes a sad reality as well, when cars smash into each other, as people who have driven all their lives on the right hand side try to adjust to the change over. The dreaded list is a long one already and will grow even longer, when other damaging scenarios are brought into the bigger social and economic picture. Government has a lot of convincing to do if they want to win over the support of an increasingly volatile public. They will certainly have to do far better than the plea for families in the lower brackets of the social and economic ladder to have the chance to own vehicles. The notion that the policy will make it possible for relatives in New Zealand and Australia to send cars to help with the development of families in Samoa has become highly suspect. The overall cost benefit analysis worked out by the local industry, in response to the Government’s intended motive, shows more negatives than positives. The estimated costs on a second hand vehicle purchased in New Zealand and shipped to Samoa, works out to about the same price for a 3 year old car sold locally. More importantly, vehicles purchased locally allows for the economy to continue to move. The currency conversion rate for the New Zealand dollar versus the American dollar shows little difference as well. What this means is that whether you convert to the New Zealand or the American currencies to purchase a vehicle, the final costs involved works out to about the same. Another side to the argument against the policy is the conscience factor. The dominating percentage of Samoans in New Zealand are trying to eke a living out of salaries way below what the average workers are being paid. Sadly however their struggles will be even more difficult when faced with emotional pleas from families in the motherland. “Please buy us a car so the old man does not have to walk to church on Sunday’, reacted one highly emotional cynic. He was undeterred in his belief that Samoans in New Zealand will again be exposed to the ‘emotional blackmail’ from families here. So in the past few days already, the arguments mounting against the new road switch policy are now overwhelmingly stacked up in favour of the protesters. Government has already plotted for the switch over to be effective by July 2008. The ban on the import of all vehicles with left hand steering wheels is also in place. Legal amendments to the Traffic Ordinance are being drafted, and with the cross over date already set, it means the changes to the legislation will have to go before Parliament before the year ends or early next year. Government as of last week was not prepared to respond to the furor of public opinion and it is not surprising somehow. The delaying tactics are obvious for an issue that has burst the emotional banks of public protest and flooded into condemnation. Public opinions expressed so far are absolutely valid and more must be encouraged. The information is invaluable to influencing key decisions, that are more social and economic friendly. As far as the motor vehicle industry is concern, they are more willing to accept the new policy but to be effective within a set time frame, that will allow for them to ensure a smooth transition to the new changes. A large part of the criticisms echoing around the industry is the unilateral way the Government went about deciding the new policy without the normal consultations with the business sector. Why observed traditions were overlooked is one of the many twists and turns of the issue that will have to wait until Government has its say. The pros and cons however will have to be weighed very very carefully. Are the risks to people killed when the switch over is made worth the longterm benefits of changing the side of the road to drive on? Is the threat to economic setbacks worth the need to push ahead as planned with the switch over next July? Stay tuned! We have only just warmed up. Comments (0) Subscribe to this comment's feed Write comment Name Email Title Comment
Last Updated ( Friday, 09 November 2007 )

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