The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) is getting ready to ban the use of Toyota Voxy vehicles for commercial transport in Ghana.
The Authority took this step after raising serious safety concerns about how people use these vehicles on the roads.
At a press conference on Wednesday, April 8, the Director-General of the NRSA, Abraham Amaliba, explained that a Technical Working Group studied the roadworthiness of Toyota Voxy vehicles, especially those converted for taxi use.
The investigation by the Technical Working Group revealed that nearly 7,000 Toyota Voxy vehicles are already in the country.
The committee of the NRSA also described the conversion of Toyota Voxy vehicles from right-hand drive to left-hand drive as dangerous and unacceptable.
The committee stressed that this practice breaks the law and increases the risk of accidents.
The group also found major safety problems which put passengers at risk and concluded that the vehicle is not safe for commercial transport, prompting the Authority to act quickly.
Mr Amaliba said the decision to stop using the Toyota Voxy for commercial transport has already been made. He added that the NRSA will soon release a detailed directive within the next two weeks.
Authorities have also started plans to stop the importation of these vehicles into the country.
Subsequently, officials will shut down garages that convert vehicles from right-hand drive to left-hand drive. Mr Amaliba warned that anyone involved in such illegal modifications could face prosecution.
For now, the NRSA has advised drivers who already use these vehicles to limit them to short trips until the full ban takes effect.
The Authority also said it is working closely with the Customs Division to block the import of both the Toyota Voxy and the Toyota Vitz models into Ghana.
Mr. Amaliba has urged the GRA Customs Division and the DVLA to strictly enforce the ban on right-hand-drive vehicles, especially the Toyota Voxy.
He also warned the public to avoid using these vehicles because they are not designed for commercial transport, and many of the conversions do not meet safety standards.
The NRSA says it will continue to engage key stakeholders to roll out the new measures and fully enforce the recommendations within the next two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) has pledged support for the move. Alexander Obeng said the Police will work with other agencies to stop these vehicles from entering the country through the ports.
