P.M. blames bus drivers

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 15 February 2018, 12:00AM

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Maleilegaoi has slammed the irresponsible bus drivers as the core reason for traffic accidents. 

He made the point when his opinion was sought on calls for the Government to ban wooden buses. It follows a deadly crash at Faleula where three people were killed instantly.

“The bus drivers are reckless and that is why traffic accidents occur,” Tuilaepa said.

He squarely laid the blame on bus drivers as the reason for bus crashes. 

Tuilaepa also dismissed the call to phase out wooden buses, noting that it is not the answer. 

“If the Government moves to eliminate the services of wooden buses, there will be no more buses for public transportation." 

“The issue at hand is not the buses; it is the bus drivers who drive like maniacs and also recklessly." 

“The recent bus accident, the bus was found more than 100 meters from where it crashed and that is a clear indication the bus was speeding.” 

The traffic accident Tuilaepa was referring to occurred last month in Faleula, where a speeding bus flipped several times landing on its side and claimed three lives.  

As reported earlier, Police Superintendent and Media Spokesperson, Auapa’au Logoitino Filipo, said 46 passengers were on the bus, including the three people who died. 

“The bus driver and two elderly women unfortunately died as a result of the tragic incident.”

Tuilaepa said: “The fault falls squarely on the bus drivers not the bus or the bus owner.” 

He also pointed out the Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) should consider having the standard age of commercial drivers from 30 above. 

“It appears the young drivers are a showoff and reckless and the end result is a traffic accident.” 

He also said the passengers had a role to play. 

“You cannot just sit there while the bus driver’s speed, you need to stop the bus and scold the bus driver." 

“You cannot sit idle while the bus driver speeds and tell the driver that you will report them to the Police or the owner of the bus." 

“It was suggested that maybe the L.T.A. needs to have strict rules when issuing a driver’s license,” Tuilaepa added.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 15 February 2018, 12:00AM
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