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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Throw the book at rock throwers
Yet another incident of rock throwing off a bridge onto oncoming traffic in KwaZulu-Natal. According to reports, the latest incident occurred earlier this week in Glen Anil. These attacks, because this is how they must be viewed, are barbaric and cowardly. Throwing rocks off bridges onto vehicles below is extremely dangerous and can, as we have seen, cause death and severe injuries to the driver...
Reduction in road fatalities encouraging
The reduction in road fatalities over the 2017/2018 festive period is encouraging and points to the success of certain road safety interventions across the country. We, however, concerned with the increase in the number of youth who died, and the continued high number of pedestrians who were killed. The official festive season road fatality statistics were released by Transport Minister Joe...
Careful consideration needed when dealing with increases to fuel levies
On 21 February Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba will deliver his Budget Speech in Parliament. Part of that speech is expected to include an announcement on increases to the General Fuel and Road Accident Fund levies, both of which are included in the price of petrol and diesel. With a budget shortfall of around R50bn in 2017, this may seem an ideal mechanism for the minister to source additional...
Rampant Rand keeps oil at bay
International fuel prices shot up by as much as 36 cents a litre in January, but were outshone by one of the strongest Rand performances in many months. As a result, South Africans can look forward to cheaper fuel prices in February. This is according to the an unaudited month-end fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. International prices have risen by around 11 percent...
Survey results indicate high levels of responsible car ownership in SA
More than 90 percent of car owners in South African service their vehicles, with 88 percent saying they do so at the service intervals recommended by manufacturers. This information is part of the recent Vehicle Service Survey. We often speak of the necessity to service vehicles regularly, and to keep them in good running condition. This not only maintains the performance of the vehicle, but...
Being insured (even a little) is better than not being insured at all
"It’s a luxury I can’t afford”, “It will never happen to me”, and, “I don’t believe in insurance” are just some of the reasons people give for not insuring their property or vehicles. For the uninsured these reasons may seem valid but, in the long run, may prove more costly. Between 65 and 70 percent of the estimated 12 million vehicles on South African roads are uninsured, and this...
Possible fuel gains wiped out by tax increases
Although fuel prices are predicted to drop in April, most of the benefit of the decreases will be wiped out by the increases to the general fuel, and Road Accident Fund (RAF) levies. (Unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). The general fuel levy will increase by 30 cents, and the RAF levy by nine cents, on 1 April. Based on the current data, the AA is...
SANRAL tariff hikes – yet another blow to SA consumers
On the back of increases to the general fuel levy and Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy coming in April, motorists now also have to contend with increases to toll rates announced by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), on Friday. This is yet, another financial blow to South African consumers, and will place more pressure on already cash-strapped motorists, commuters, and consumers. Some...
AA weighs in on new laws frenzy
Speed limits haven't changed and trucks cannot be pulled off the road during certain hours. That's the word from the Automobile Association (AA) which advised people not to repeat rumours about new traffic laws without having the facts at hand. We are getting several calls a day from concerned motorists over alleged changes to the speed limits, and operating hours laws. It's evident in all these...
Fuel breather as oil sinks, Rand firms
Rand strength, and a retreat of international petroleum prices, have combined to produce a surprise drop in fuel prices at the end of February. This is according to the Automobile Association (AA), which was commenting on unaudited month-end fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). After a bit of a stutter at the beginning of February, the Rand has continued to firm against the...
Increases to fuel and RAF levies a blow to SA consumers
The announcement by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan that an additional 30 cents/litre is to be added to the general fuel levy for the second year in a row, and that an additional nine cents a litre is to be added to the Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy, is cause for great concern, the Automobile Association (AA) said. The Minister made the announcement in his Budget Speech yesterday. The additional...
Highway driving – a few tips from the AA
Driving on a highway, even in the best weather, is a daunting undertaking, especially for novice drivers. When the weather is bad, as it currently is over many parts of South Africa, some drivers become anxious, and seem to forget the basics of highway driving. According to the Automobile Association (AA) drivers who are anxious, or drivers who disrespect the rules of the road, cause problems...
