The residents of Sinamoga are growing increasingly concerned about the rising number of car accidents, and instances of speeding on the road which connects Moamoa and Sinamoga.

The recent shooting of two young men by a reckless driver has further fueled their urgency to address the issue.

Moana Sooalo and Vai Pauli, two residents deeply invested in the safety of their community, have been vocal about the need for additional speed humps along the road connecting Moamoa and Alafua. 

Like many others in the village, their houses are perilously close to the road, leaving their children vulnerable to the dangers posed by speeding vehicles.

In an interview with the Samoa Observer, the two concerned mothers said there have been no peaceful day in Sinamoga since the road was renewed years ago and they are deeply concerned for the safety of their children.

"The recent shooting incident all started from speeding, the driver was speeding that's why the kids called out to them then the driver ended up shooting at them," Mrs. Sooalo said.

"It's very unsafe for our kids and depriving them of their freedom to play in front of their houses because we stopped them and the youth love hanging out on the sides of the road.

"We need more speed humps not only for speeding but also to catch criminals such as the shooter last week from getting away.

"The safety of Sinamoga residents, particularly the vulnerable youth population, must be prioritised. Each day, the risk of further accidents and tragedies looms large over the village. 

"It is imperative that proactive measures, such as the installation of speed humps and intensified law enforcement efforts, are implemented without delay to address the root causes of speeding and reckless driving."

Mrs. Pauli shared similar sentiments saying Sinamoga is a very safe village in terms of its people and every family had a habit of getting fresh air in front of their homes until late at night.

"Every family is always staying awake and chilling in front of their houses until late but it was just that one night when the shooting incident happened that there was no one awake at the time around 11 pm," she explained.

"I am always fearing for the safety of my children and other children too because people are always speeding here as if it's not a village and no churches around here.

"We need more speed humps here and it will help us big time and make a big difference for our village, especially for our children and it'll help save more lives.

"The time to act is now before an innocent life is lost to the senseless consequences of speeding and negligence on the roads."

About seven years ago, a toddler was hit by a speeding vehicle on the side of the road leaving her family traumatised. There were calls that time as well for more speed humps.

There is currently only one-speed hump in Sinamoga which is located in front of the Methodist church. The two mothers stressed that it is not high enough to prevent cars from speeding.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Sooalo and Mrs. Pauli are not alone in their concerns. Numerous residents have echoed their sentiments, emphasising the urgent need for measures to curb speeding and prevent further tragedies. 

The installation of more speed humps has emerged as a popular solution among community members, viewed as a simple yet effective way to slow down traffic and deter reckless driving.

The call for more speed humps goes beyond mere traffic control. In the aftermath of the recent shooting incident, residents are also advocating for enhanced measures to identify and apprehend reckless drivers who pose a threat to public safety. 

Residents are calling for increased police patrols and enforcement efforts to deter speeding and hold accountable those who endanger lives through their reckless actions. 

Moreover, residents are advocating for the installation of surveillance cameras along the road to capture evidence of speeding violations and assist in the identification of perpetrators.