Samoa's Prime Minister has touted the idea of introducing life sentences for bus drivers who cause death or injury to passengers.
The main bus station in Apia, Samoa. Photo: RNZI / Sally Round
Referring to a crash last week, Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi said the government was tired of speeding and reckless drivers.
He also lashed out at bus owners, saying they should get harsher penalties than the drivers.
"The government has had enough of these bus drivers acting stupid on the roads," he said.
Police said preliminary investigations show that overloading and speeding was a factor in the crash that injured more than 20 of 50 school students on board.
The police have not escaped Tuila'epa's anger, with the prime minister singling out the Savai'i members of the force, saying it was clear they were not doing their jobs.
"They should be fired from the Ministry," he said.
Police have been spurred into action with the Commissioner saying they are stopping buses that are overloaded and ticketing and advising people to do whatever is in the law to prevent these things from happening.
The bus driver in the latest accident has not been charged yet and he remains in hospital with injuries.