As often as people take it to be, the road is not your playground and the courts in Samoa have set the record straight and a warning has been sent to drivers who would treat it otherwise.

Racing on the roads is becoming a common occurrence and there have been deaths caused by this year as well. In September of this year, a Chinese woman who was simply buying fish from a vendor was ploughed down and killed by a man who was allegedly racing with another.

The court’s comments come from a street racing case which led to the death of a 23-year-old on 9 November 2019. For this offence, two men were sentenced to jail for two years.

In his sentencing, Justice Vui said it was necessary to send a clear and unambiguous message to all drivers that the road is not your playground.

“Your car is not a play thing, its capabilities are to be feared and respected. When you drive you are not Michael Schumacher and the roads of this country are not a Formula One racetrack,” he said.

“And if you suffer as many these days appear to from such delusional fantasies, then you should take a lesson from what has happened to these two defendants and where their antics and behaviour has led them – straight to the gates of Tanumalala Prison.”

There is always a temptation to test the limits of a car especially if it is a new one, a fast one, one with a big engine or something that has been ‘pimped up’. Even if the speed demon possesses you, resist all these urges. Samoa’s roads are not meant to be driven fast on.

There are villages and homes next to the roads from Apia to Faleolo. The roads elsewhere are narrow and winding, making it dangerous to do so. That is why the authorities have imposed speed limits. These should be followed to avoid deaths on Samoan roads.

Street racing is extremely dangerous, especially for the drivers involved. While the thrill of speed and competition might be enough to draw in adrenaline junkies, the dangers associated with street racing can lead to catastrophic injuries and other severe consequences for those behind the wheel.

Street racing often involves racing at high speeds on public roads or uncontrolled environments. The faster the vehicles go, the greater the force of impact in the event of a collision. High-speed collisions can result in severe injuries and fatalities.

The intense acceleration and rapid speed changes during the race can lead to loss of vehicle control. Drivers may struggle to handle their vehicles, leading to swerving, skidding, or spinning out of control.

Rapid acceleration and sharp turns increase the risk of rollovers, particularly when racing on roads not designed for high-speed maneuvers. Rollovers can cause serious injuries and even eject drivers from their vehicles, as we unfortunately saw in the recent incident that happened in late August.

The rapid pace of street racing leaves drivers with minimal time to react to sudden obstacles, turns, or other unexpected road conditions. This lack of reaction time increases the likelihood of accidents.

Racing at high speeds increases the chances of colliding with stationary objects such as trees, poles, barriers, or parked vehicles. These collisions can lead to significant injuries and vehicle damage – even damage to the surrounding community.

Street racing often takes place on public roads, disrupting the normal flow of traffic. Sudden starts, stops, and aggressive maneuvers by racing vehicles can cause traffic jams, confusion, and road rage among other motorists.

Street racing can put pedestrians at risk, especially at intersections or areas where pedestrians cross the road. Racing vehicles moving at high speeds may not have enough time to stop for pedestrians.

Racing on the roads is inherently dangerous, not just for the drivers, but for everyone around them.

We are now just two weeks away from Christmas and three from New Year’s Day and as everyone knows, this is the season to be jolly. Most of the street or road racing incidents in Samoa have been associated with alcohol. If you are drinking alcohol, then do not drive, have a designated driver or catch a cab.

Follow the road rules and stay safe on the roads.