Press Releases
The Automobile Association (AA) advocates for consumer rights. It also provides useful information to consumers on all aspects of mobility and road use. Read our articles below for more information.
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Child restraints are not a luxury, they’re a necessity
Older children who have outgrown their child restraint seats, but who are still too small for adult-sized seatbelts in vehicles, still need to be properly secured while travelling, although recent research suggests this isn’t happening. Findings from the Automobile Association’s (AA) Child Safety Seat Survey – conducted last year – also highlight that a quarter of motorists admit to not...
Fuel price reversal as oil strengthens
Recent reductions in the fuel price have been dealt a blow by a steady increase in international petroleum prices during the first half of February. This is according to the unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. Oil traded within a very tight band for most of January, but we have seen a steady uptick since February began. This trend has accelerated in the last...
Increases to fuel levies will hurt the poor and increase burden on all consumers
We are relieved that Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni did not increase fuel levies above inflation – as has been the case in previous years – despite pre-Budget Speech speculation that this may have happened. Announced in today’s Budget Speech (SUBS: 20 FEB), any changes to the fuel levies will be implemented along with any fuel price adjustments on 3 April, the first Wednesday of April 2019....
Increases abound for embattled consumers
Toll fees across South Africa will increase again on 1 March, adding yet more financial pain to already embattled consumers. These increases will coincide with a likely increase to fuel prices in March, which, given the current data, look set to be significant. These increases will apply country-wide to all tolled roads. With the increase to fuel levies which comes into effect in April, the...
Stronger oil brings fuel price woe
Rising international petroleum prices have resulted in South Africans facing substantially higher fuel prices in March. This is according to the unaudited month-end fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. The price of petrol is predicted to increase by around 73 cents a litre, diesel by 92 cents and illuminating paraffin by 74 cents. The Rand/US dollar exchange rate has worked...
Rand, oil squeeze fuel price
Fresh off substantial fuel price hikes in March, South Africans should brace themselves for further increases in April. This is according to the unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. The projected basic fuel price increase is being billed as 98 cents for petrol, 70 cents for diesel and 63 cents for illuminating paraffin. But, increases to the fuel levies will...
Aarto Bill in its current form is flawed
In its current form, the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Bill, is cause for concern. The National Assembly earlier this month passed the Bill and sent it to President Cyril Ramaphosa to be signed into law. In principle, we are in favour of a demerit system for drivers, it is something we have always backed and supported even as far back as the 1960s when such a...
Massive fuel hike on the cards again
Strong oil prices and an ever-weakening Rand have combined to set up another massive fuel price hike. This is according to the unaudited month-end fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. These increases will be compounded by rises in fuel taxes which come into effect in April. There will be an additional increase of 15 cents for the fuel levy and 5 cents for the RAF levy (which...
A call to prevent the sale of zero-star cars
The latest crash test results in the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign, released by Global NCAP and AA South Africa last week, show that Nissan’s NP300 ‘Hardbody’ received a zero-star safety rating. The vehicle structure collapsed and was found to be unstable during the test. The high forces placed on the crash test driver dummy pose a significant risk of fatal injury. The NP300’s bodyshell was so...
Huge fuel drop, but levy impacts unknown
Massive fuel price reductions are expected for December, but these could be tempered by adjustments in the retail and wholesale margin, and the possible continued use of the Slate Levy. This is according to the unaudited month-end fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). The good news is a likely R1.85 reduction per litre in the price of petrol, with diesel coming down by an...
Let’s be safe out there together
Main roads throughout South Africa are expected to become busier over the next few weeks as travellers embark on their annual vacations. But, while this is a time for relaxation, road users cannot afford to take it easy, especially if they are driving. School holidays across the country start on 12 December 2018 and reopen on 9 January 2019. Major routes to Polokwane, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern...
More fuel relief, but exchange rate may hold sting
Substantial further fuel price reductions are on the cards for January, but the exchange rate could spoil the party according to the unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. The South African fuel price has yet to fully catch up with considerably lower international petroleum prices, which have stayed at the plateau they reached at the beginning of December....