<P> Samoa, a former German colony, had been RHT for more than a century . It switched to LHT in 2009, being the first territory in almost 30 years to switch . The move was legislated in 2008 to allow Samoans to use cheaper right - hand drive (RHD) vehicles--which are better suited for left - hand traffic--imported from Australia, New Zealand or Japan, and to harmonise with other South Pacific nations . A political party, The People's Party, was formed to try to protest against the change, a protest group which launched a legal challenge, and an estimated 18,000 people attending demonstrations against it . The motor industry was also opposed, as 14,000 of Samoa's 18,000 vehicles are designed for RHT and the government has refused to meet the cost of conversion . After months of preparation, the switch from right to left happened in an atmosphere of national celebration . There were no reported incidents . At 05: 50 local time, Monday 7 September, a radio announcement halted traffic, and an announcement at 6: 00 ordered traffic to switch to LHT . The change coincided with more restrictive enforcement of speeding and seat - belt laws . That day and the following day were declared public holidays, to reduce traffic . The change included a three - day ban on alcohol sales, while police mounted dozens of checkpoints, warning drivers to drive slowly . </P> <P> The Philippines was mostly LHT during its Spanish and American colonial periods, as well as during the Commonwealth era . During the Japanese occupation the Philippines remained LHT, also because LHT had been required by the Japanese; but during the Battle of Manila the liberating American forces drove their tanks to the right for easier facilitation of movement . RHT was formally finalised by Executive Order No. 34 signed by President Sergio Osmeña on 10 March 1945 . </P> <P> A number of non-contiguous former British colonies in West Africa originally drove LHT and switched to RHT in the early 1970s to match the surrounding countries . Sierra Leone switched to RHT in 1971, Nigeria in 1972 and Ghana in 1974 . Before this period The Gambia, a country entirely contained within RHT Senegal, had officially switched to RHT in 1965 . </P> <P> Rwanda, a former Belgian colony in central Africa, is RHT but is considering switching to LHT, to bring the country in line with other members of the East African Community (EAC). A survey, carried out in 2009, indicated that 54% of Rwandans were in favour of the switch . Reasons cited were the perceived lower costs of RHD vehicles as opposed to LHD versions of the same model, easier maintenance and the political benefit of harmonisation of traffic regulations with other EAC countries . The same survey also indicated that RHD cars are 16 to 49 per cent cheaper than their LHD equivalents . In 2014 an internal report from consultants to the Ministry of Infrastructure recommended a switch to LHT . In 2015, the ban on RHD vehicles was lifted; RHD trucks from neighbouring countries cost $1000 less than LHD models imported from Europe . </P>

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