Shifting From Right to Left

The light at the end of the tunnel is probably a car coming at you in the wrong lane:

Residents prayed for calm as Samoa prepared Monday to become the first country in nearly 40 years to switch driving from one side of the road to the other.

Critics have predicted traffic chaos in the Pacific island nation of 180,000, and the country is banning alcohol sales for three days as a precaution, the prime minister said.

The switch from driving on the right side of the road to the left takes effect from 6:00 a.m. Monday (1 p.m. EDT Monday). It is being ushered in with a two-day national holiday to reduce traffic.

The Congregational Christian Church of Samoa, the country's largest denomination, offered blessings Sunday to help the switch go smoothly.

"It's a must „ people have to be blessed before we come to the changes," said the Rev. Iutisone Salevao.

The government wants to bring Samoa in line with Australia and New Zealand to encourage some of the 170,000 expatriate Samoans there to ship used cars, with steering wheels on the right side, home to relatives.

Opponents, however, have accused the government of pushing the change through without adequately preparing drivers.

Hey, America shifted from right to left in January and look how well it's worked out for us. *sigh*