AA Blogs

Choosing the South African Car of the Year (COTY) is a long and intricate, but often misunderstood, process. Indeed, there are many local organisations, websites and publications that run their own Car of the Year competitions, rewarding anything from affordability to popularity. In addition, these competitions are split up in so many categories that there is a winner in almost every market...

February is the month of love, and the ideal time to show your partner how much you cherish them. It is also a good time to show how much you care for the other love in your life: your car. Regular car care is vital to ensuring your car operates optimally. And, perhaps more importantly, looking after your car will extend its good looks, and improve its resale value. Another important reason to...

Returning from holiday after a long break can be quite stressful for many drivers who have to begin renegotiating heavy morning and afternoon traffic again. At this time of the year it’s always a good idea to familiarise yourself with some basic road rules that keep you and your family safe on the road. A good starting point are the ten Golden Rules ffor road safety published by the...

Another way you can show your love to other road users is by making sure you keep to the rules while using the national roads/freeways. Regulation 323 of the National Road Traffic Act stipulates what a motorist must not do on our national freeways. Specifically, a motorist cannot use the following modes of transport: Operate a vehicle pulled by an animal A pedal cycle A motor cycle with a...

Anyone who took the K53 driver’s licence test will also recall the tedious 30-point exterior and 8-point interior pre-trip vehicle inspection. This includes checking everything from the exterior mirrors and windscreen to the number plate, indicator lenses and seat belts. The day you passed the test was probably the last time you did such a thorough check of your car but all drivers should in...

In July 2015 a law was introduced which requires passengers in a vehicle who are younger than three years of age to be in a child seat. Unfortunately, little has changed in the way many people transport children, with compliance among drivers apparently still very low. People who drive with children in their car who are not buckled up, or in child restraint seats, are risking the lives of these...

With the holiday season over, road users should always remember the importance of driving a roadworthy vehicle. It is both dangerous and illegal to drive on a damaged tyre, or a tyre that has been fitted to the rim incorrectly, as these could pose danger to other road users. In terms of the law, the tread on tyres must be at least one mm deep across the tyre’s entire width over the full...

While the official road fatality statistics for 2017 have not yet been released, the figures for the festive period from 1 December 2017 to 15 January 2018 have been made public. These show that 1676 people died on South African roads during the holidays. And, while this number is lower than the 1714 the previous year, it is still an unacceptable high number of people who have died on our roads....

It’s a new year and many school leavers will be going to tertiary institutions. Graduates are also starting their working careers. As a result, parents and young people will be looking to buy a first car. While aspects such as looks, specification levels and fuel consumption will undoubtedly play a role in the choice of vehicle, safety features should also be a key consideration. In 2016, the AA...

With the advancement of technology and infrastructure, our lives have become far more fast-paced over the years. Our time is precious and we do not want to spend all this time travelling when we could be spending it with our family and loved ones. Consideration for other road users often comes second to our desire to reach our destinations. A good driver should not only be able to drive well,...

With the arrival of the festive season, South Africans will be celebrating the holidays in customary animated fashion. While it is important to relax and have fun during this time, it is crucial to be mindful of the legal implications of drinking and driving. The National Road Traffic Act sets out the legal limits and prohibitions for driving whilst under the influence. It provides that no one...