Salvage vehicles a dangerous gamble on the road — GADC CEO

The CEO of the Ghana Auto Development Centre (GADC) Kojo Annobil has made a case against the importation of salvage vehicles into the country, saying they are a ticking time bomb.

He said salvage vehicles, which are described as vehicles involved in a severe accident resulting in significant damage to the chassis frame and safety cage, have their structural integrity compromised and can never be safe for motorists and passengers.

“ As an automobile expert for over 20 years, I can confidently say just because a car has been repaired doesn’t mean it’s safe to drive; hidden damage can lead to catastrophic failures, causing accidents and even fatalities,” he told the Graphic Business in an interview in Accra.

The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has identified salvage vehicles to be involved in a disproportionate number of accidents, with many resulting in serious injury or death.

“Don’t gamble with your life, always prioritise safety and choose a vehicle that has been thoroughly inspected and certified,” he noted.

Ban on accident and salvaged vehicles

In April 2020, the President assented to an act that will start banning salvaged and accident vehicles by October 2020. The act amends the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891). 

The banned vehicles comprise destroyed, wrecked or physically damaged by collision, fire, water or other occurrences and specified vehicles that are over 10-years-old.

However, the majority of vehicles driven on Ghana’s roads and highways are mostly salvaged cars imported at cheap costs.