Avoid Toyota Voxy Vehicles for Long-distance Travel- NRSA Warns Passengers

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has advised passengers to avoid using Voxy vehicles for long-distance travel.

This is in response to findings of a Technical Working Group on the safety of the vehicle, which suggests that it was designed as a family minivan and not for commercial passenger transport, particularly for long-distance operations.

The Authority, in a statement, also warned operators against using privately registered vehicles for commercial passenger transport while advising vehicle owners and operators to ensure that their vehicles comply with all regulatory and safety requirements.

It added that importers refrain from importing right-hand drive Toyota Voxy vehicles and other vehicles intended for conversion.

According to the NRSA, many right-hand drive to left-hand drive vehicle conversions are undertaken without approved standards, certification, or regulatory oversight, which may compromise critical safety systems and increase the risk of mechanical failure and unsafe operation.

Key safety concerns identified by the Technical team include:
1. Toyota Voxy vehicles are manufactured exclusively as right-hand drive vehicles, and the manufacturer does not approve conversion to left-hand drive for safety reasons.

2. Conversion from right-hand drive to left-hand drive involves extensive structural modifications to steering, braking, dashboard, electrical systems, suspension, and related components, which may affect vehicle integrity.

3. Many conversions are undertaken without formal standards, certification, or regulatory oversight, increasing the risk of mechanical failure and unsafe operation.

4. The Toyota Voxy was designed as a family minivan and not for commercial passenger transport, particularly for long-distance operations.

5. Field observations indicate that some vehicles registered as private are being used for commercial passenger transport, contrary to regulatory requirements.

Story by Hajara Fuseini

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