Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Lack of clearly marked crosswalks continues to be a safety issue in the territory, especially for Lupelele Elementary, which has made House Representative (faipule) Fagaima Larry Sanitoa follow up on his request made in 2015 for a raised crosswalk or other safety and calming devices on the main road in front of the Elementary school in Tafuna.

In an email to the Department of Public Works, the House faipule references his email from August 2015 to then-Director Faleosina Voight on the issue. He states that “despite promises of a solution 11 years ago, no actions have been taken. As noted in that original correspondence, a student was unfortunately struck by a motorist that same year.”

Fagaima references his disappointment that the DPW’s current phase of raised crosswalk installations does not include Lupelele Elementary.

“Given the dangerous road conditions and numerous reported near-miss accidents due to speeding motorists, I urge DPW to install a marked, raised crosswalk in front of Lupelele Elementary School before the upcoming school year begins,” he states.

A reply to Fagaima from DPW yesterday, states that they are discussing an option for Lupelele as it is one of the critical areas as mentioned by the faipule.

However, when it will happen is not stated. As indicated in an email sent on August 9, 2015 from the DPW then-director, in reply to Fagaima’s query on crossway safety issues, DPW said they had a plan in place for Lupelele Elementary School and they were hoping to implement it in the near future. To date, nothing has been done.

Further, Fagaima’s 2015 email to Voight highlighted the testimonies of DPW deputy directors at the House Public Works Committee, who updated committee members at the time on several completed and pending work projects for their respective districts and throughout the island.

The House faipule wrote in this email that he was following up on his question and comments regarding road safety during the hearing.

“Once again, I humbly request DPW to seriously consider installing either speed bumps or calming devices, plus additional road safety signs on many frequently travelled roads without sidewalks (i.e. both Petesa Road accesses, and Ottoville Road, etc.) 

“Several residents who live within these areas continue to call and express concerns about numerous near miss accidents due to motorists speeding.”

Fagaima added that “the recent and unfortunate incident of a student being struck by a motorist near Lupelele Elementary is a reminder of the danger to pedestrians and of not having enough safety devices to caution motorists.

“Therefore, I urge and highly recommend DPW to revisit and install necessary traffic warning and safety devices not only by Lupelele Elementary, but at several other schools throughout Tualauta and the whole island.  

 Fagaima continued, “As indicated at the hearing, several of my colleagues and I are working on a legislation to decrease the speed limit to 15 mph at all school zones during school hours.

“It is another proactive initiative in alerting motorists and the traveling public to be safety minded and cautious of pedestrians and residents especially children.”