NRSA Team Up with DVLA, GRA, Others to Ensure Voxy Safety

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) says it has collaborated with relevant stakeholders to implement recommendations of a technical committee on the safety of Voxy vehicles.

Among them are the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Commission (NIC).

The rest are the Motor Traffic & Transport Department (MTTD) of the Ghana Police Service and Registered Road Transport Operators.

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.

Meanwhile, the Authority has advised passengers against patronising Toyota Voxy vehicles, particularly for long-distance travel, while vehicle owners and operators are advised to ensure that their vehicles comply with all regulatory and safety requirements.

It further cautioned operators against using privately registered vehicles for commercial passenger transport and advised importers to refrain from importing right-hand drive Toyota Voxy vehicles and other vehicles intended for conversion.

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.

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