There are currently over 30,000 cars in Samoa which is a ratio of three cars to every 20 people, according to the Land Transport Authority.

Traffic jams have become an increasing problem in Samoa with cars lining up and stretching throughout the whole of town.

The Chief Executive Officer of Land Transport Authority (LTA), Galumalemana Taatialeoititi Schwalger said the LTA had no control over the number of cars coming into Samoa.

According to her, there are over 30,000 vehicles in Samoa and admitted that this is quite a concerning amount of cars on Samoa's roads. 

"The management of the volume of cars imported into Samoa is a function that lies with the Ministry of Customs and Revenue," she said.

"At this point in time only cars aged 10 years are allowed to be imported into Samoa with the exception of pickup trucks that are used for agriculture purposes which can be up to 20 years old." 

LTA however can look after the roads and better manage the volume of cars travelling on the roads.

"Trying to manage the volume of traffic on the roads is work we have to do in collaboration with the Ministry of Works as well as the Police," she said.

"The current volume of cars traveling on the roads is a challenge that we have to work with.

"If you see some of the road programs that LTA are already implementing such as the upgrading of the West Coast from Vaitele all the way to the airport as well as the Cross Island Road and other major projects are all to try and accommodate the increased volume of traffic."

The new road projects once completed will help alleviate congested roads and ensure travelers are safe when driving, according to LTA.

She reiterated that the management or the putting in place of measures for traffic on the roads is not a responsibility of LTA alone but a collective responsibility for other ministries as well.