Re: How to increase your risk of dying 

It is sad that I have to start the discussion on my own article, especially when it highlights the VERY BIG PROBLEM of deaths on Samoan roads.

Maybe the loss of 30 Samoans each year is not worth commenting on, especially when you can go on and on about the cost of a new big church, or Poly 2.0 or a Faifeau getting kicked out of his job. Let’s be honest, the unnecessary loss of Samoan lives on the roads has to be more important than these stories.

This week friends of mine here in Savai’i lost a sister and nephew to a drunk truck driver, who was speeding away from another accident down the road. Two innocent people, going about their own business were MURDERED by a drunk driver yielding his truck as a high-speed deadly weapon.

It is high time that all the bull**** political debates turned to a real dire problem and the politicians who have the power to make things happen make this a top priority for everyone involved to crack down on.

It is not just drink driving and speeding, but also the overall aggressive attitude displayed every day on Samoan roads along with their lack of driving skills, unregistered and un-roadworthy vehicles and pedestrian safety.

Get off your laurels, Mr. PM, Ministers and C.E.O’s involved and show some true leadership and protection of the well being of your people. 

We are a long way from elections, so now is the time to make the hard and potentially unpopular decisions that will reward you with reduced Samoan road deaths and the appreciation of your people once you have delivered.

The five-year-old boy slain by this drunk driver may have been a future Samoan leader, but now we will never know.

Kevin Hartin