By: Yumi Epati Tala’ave
Drivers found guilty of causing death on Samoa’s roads associated to street
racing are up for a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, and/or fines of up to $25,000 tala, as well as face long term suspension of drivers licenses.
The stricter laws were included in the Road Traffic Amendment Act passed by Parliament in December 2020.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi has openly made known the position of Government in respect to road racing in recent years, now reflected by legislation.
Police had come down hard on street racing after the death of a teenage boy along the Vaea Street stretch in July 2018. The Samoa Prime Minister immediately ordered the law changes, now in place as a deterrence.
“The Government condemns and takes a stance against street racing which has resulted in road fatalities
over the years..”
In other jurisdictions such as Australia, Police are legally allowed to destroy vehicles involved in street racing, as a way to crack down on those who fail to heed to warnings.
Street racers in Samoa have been sent a stern warning message with the uncompromising consequences prescribed by the Road Traffic Amendment Act 2020.
