The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has issued a public notice expressing concern over the increasing use of Toyota Voxy vehicles for commercial passenger transport on public roads in Ghana, particularly on long-distance routes.

In a statement released for immediate effect, the Authority said it has taken note of public concerns surrounding the roadworthiness and safety performance of Toyota Voxy vehicles currently operating in the country.

According to the NRSA, a significant number of these vehicles were originally manufactured as right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles and later converted to left-hand drive (LHD) after being imported into Ghana.

The Authority explained that reports it has received suggest that some of these converted vehicles may experience handling and stability challenges, especially when driven at higher speeds or while navigating curves.

These concerns, the NRSA noted, raise questions about the overall safety and suitability of such vehicles for commercial passenger transport.

“In view of the potential risk to public safety, and in line with our statutory mandate to promote safer road use and reduce road traffic crashes, the NRSA has decided to take further action,” the statement said.

As part of its response, the NRSA announced that it is constituting a Technical Working Group (TWG) to comprehensively investigate the concerns associated with Toyota Voxy vehicles.

The findings of this technical assessment will be used to guide any necessary regulatory actions.

Interim Public Advisory

Pending the outcome of the Technical Working Group’s work, the NRSA has issued an interim public advisory urging motorists and the general travelling public to exercise heightened vigilance when using Toyota Voxy vehicles for commercial transport. The caution applies particularly to vehicles that have undergone RHD-to-LHD conversion.

The Authority stressed that the advisory is purely a precautionary public safety measure and does not represent a final decision on the safety or roadworthiness of Toyota Voxy vehicles or any other vehicle category.

“The NRSA encourages all road users to make informed decisions in the interest of personal safety while investigations are ongoing,” the statement added.

The notice was officially issued by the National Road Safety Authority from its Head Office at South Ridge, Haile Selassie Street, Accra, under its mandate of “Ensuring Safety, Protecting Lives.”

The NRSA assured the public that further updates will be communicated once the Technical Working Group concludes its investigations.