Press Releases

In a recent survey, almost 75% of prospective new car owners stated their purchase decision would be influenced by whether a car has been crash-tested and safety rated. 81% of these prospective buyers said the ratings of vehicles would also influence their decision if they were presented with two similar vehicles with different safety ratings. The survey – which polled more than 650 people -...

Being stuck on the side of the road is an unpleasant, and sometimes scary situation for anyone. This can be even worse if you are stuck because of a crash. It is advisable for all motorists to be aware of their rights, and in control of events, in such a situation. We hear too often of motorists who are involved in crashes and they have their vehicles towed away from the scene without their...

Fuel prices will jump to record highs in June on the back of stronger international oil prices, and a deficit carried over from April. This is according to the unaudited month-end fuel data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). The Rand traded in a fairly narrow band against the US dollar throughout May. However, international oil prices have come under strong pressure, accounting for...

The Automobile Association has been operating in South Africa for almost ninety years - always priding ourselves on our customer service and loyalty to the values of honesty and integrity. Today, at a media briefing in Midrand, we announced our position regarding the status of the towing industry in the country, and what needs to be done to fix it. The towing industry has, over the past number...

Fuel prices look set for another jump going into July based on the unaudited mid-month fuel data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). Since the start of June, the Rand has steadily weakened against the US dollar, with the average cost per dollar having climbed from around the R12.50 mark to nearly R13.00. Fortunately, international oil prices retreated over the same period, and have had a...

South Africans have been thrown a lifeline by declining oil prices in June, according to the unaudited month-end fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). Without oil's decline, the fuel price hike for July would have been far higher. The average Rand/US dollar exchange rate used to calculate the basic fuel price has slipped in a virtually straight line since the start of June....

To understand how the fuel price is comprised, we are publishing a fuel price breakdown for the third year. This breakdown gives a snapshot of how the cost of every litre of petrol inland, and at the coast, is determined. These figures are based on 93 unleaded octane fuel (inland) and 95 octane fuel (coastal). The purpose of the breakdown, and accompanying infographics, is aimed at educating the...

Sharp increases in the landed prices of fuels are set to hit motorists hard at the end of April. This is according to the unaudited mid-month data released by the Central Energy Fund. Petroleum prices were largely flat in the first week of April, but spiked sharply as tensions escalated in Syria. The Middle East lies near many of the world's key oil producers, and petroleum prices have...

Transport Minister Blade Nzimande released the Easter road death toll today announcing a shocking 14% increase in road fatalities over the Easter period from 29 March to 9 April 2018, over the same period in 2017. This period coincides with national school holidays. The release of these numbers must serve as an urgent indication to government to bring all role-players in road safety into the...

The annual road fatality statistics for 2017, made available by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) on their website on Friday (SUBS: 20 April), is another indication of the need for urgent road safety intervention on South Africa’s roads. The statistics show the situation on the country’s roads is worsening, despite numerous safety campaigns by government and non-governmental...

Finding yourself at the centre of a civil unrest situation in your car is not something many people think of. However, recent events in some parts of South Africa mean it is wise to be prepared if this does happen to you. The first, and most important action, is to avoid these areas as far as possible. If you are aware of unrest near to you, monitor media and social media, listen to radio...

Toll fees across South Africa have risen by between six and seven percent, signalling yet another financial blow to already cash-strapped South Africans. And, the increases come at a time when fuel is touching on record high levels, in part because of the hefty increases to indirect taxes added to fuel prices at the beginning of the month. The announcement was made by the South African National...