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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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Fuel set to jump on Rand, oil woes

Unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) is forecasting a sharp jump in fuel prices at the end of November. This is according to the Automobile Association, which says that motorists cannot expect much respite from a weakening domestic picture. The Rand is testing one-year lows against the US dollar. In addition, there have been heavy increases in...

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Global NCAP and AA South Africa launch #SaferCarsforAfrica

Global NCAP and AA South Africa launch #SaferCarsforAfrica Global NCAP and AA South Africa launch #SaferCarsforAfrica today (22) in Cape Town, with the first independent crash test assessment of some of South Africa’s most popular compact and small cars. The crashworthiness results of the five cars tested show a wide range of safety performance, from four to zero stars for adult protection, with...

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Fuel price blues as oil, Rand bite

Sharp movements in international petroleum prices have combined with a weakening Rand to push fuel prices higher for December. This is according to the Automobile Association (AA), commenting on unaudited month-end fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). Oil has continued the strong run we have seen throughout November and the trend remains upwards. The Rand has followed a...

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See and be seen! Daytime running lamps

Visibility is key to reaction time; it is critical to see and be seen. That’s why daytime running lamps are a compulsory standard of so many European countries, and not reliant on a driver’s judgement on when to switch on headlamps in varying light conditions. Daytime running lamps are not compulsory in South Africa. Regulation 161 A (1) states that they may be fitted to any motor vehicle except...

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Exhaust smoke – an engine’s distress signal

Diesel or petrol engine exhaust gases should be colorless. Any smoke colour emanating from an exhaust signals that it is not running properly, or even close to mechanical failure. What do exhaust smoke emissions really mean? Black smoke is a sign of engine over-fueling. This can be a malfunctioning injector, a restricted air supply or clogged intercooler. For a sound technical reason, excess...

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Change of behaviour needed to curb shocking annual fatality numbers

Since the start of December, road crashes around the country have claimed the lives of many people, including ten people who died when the taxi they were travelling in collided with cows in Mbombela last Friday. The current situation, is untenable, and it urges all motorists to change their behaviour ahead of the expected festive season traffic rush. Every day seems to bring another story of a...

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Weather and holidays impact fleet safety

It is that time of the year when road traffic deaths are measured and compared to previous years over the December festive season. However, the annual road traffic crash statistics set an alarming background that cannot be ignored – that latest figures at hand from a 2015 CSIR report indicate that over 1,7 million South Africans are involved in more than 832 thousand road traffic crashes (RTC)...

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Dealing with flash floods

Although flash floods are rare, when they occur, they can wreak havoc. Yesterday’s floods again show how quickly a torrent can occur, and the extreme dangers it holds. We urge all motorists caught up in floods to follow some basic rules to negotiate the safest route out of these situations. The most important factor in dealing with floods is trying to avoid them in the first place. The South...

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Rand offsets fuel price gains

Softer international petrol prices have been offset by a declining Rand since the start of October, while diesel and illuminating paraffin prices were slightly up, leaving them with no protection against Rand weakness. This is according to the unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. The landed price of petrol has dropped by almost 20 cents a litre since the start...

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Safety features still lacking on entry-level vehicles

The Automobile Association (AA) today released its second annual Entry-Level Vehicle Safety Report that assess the safety features on entry-level vehicles. The report considered the safety features of 25 vehicles available in South Africa currently priced under R160 000. This is R10 000 (6.7%) more than the vehicles considered last year to account for an increase in inflation. According to...

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Mixed picture as fuel set to rise

Across-the-board losses from the exchange rate are set to hit fuel consumers at the end of October The landed price of petrol actually dropped by around 18 cents a litre in October, while the landed price of diesel showed a slight increase of five cents. But, the Rand slipped around 22 cents to the US dollar, meaning all grades of fuel will be more expensive in November. Petrol will rise a...

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Ready for the holiday season?

October is a pivotal point of the year for many establishments. Make sure you are ready to cope with the rush as the year hurdles to a close by using our tips to get started early on your countdown. Remember that guests need to be able to find you so fine-tune the directions to your establishment. Get the festive feeling started by being well organised about staff leave and overtime. And when...

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AA Responds to Fuel Levy Increase: Calls for Transparency and Structural Reform

The Automobile Association (AA) notes the announcement by the Minister of Finance to increase the General Fuel Levy (GFL) by 16 cents per litre for petrol and 15 cents per litre for diesel, effective 4 June 2025. The Minister described this adjustment—the first in three years—as the sole new tax proposal for the 2025/26 fiscal year, citing inflationary pressures as the reason for the hike. While acknowledging the government’s fiscal constraints, the AA warns that this increase will have...

LOSS OF R313 MILLION TRANSPORT GRANT A BLOW TO ROAD USERS, LOW-INCOME COMMUTERS, AND PUBLIC CONFIDENCE – AA

The Automobile Association (AA) is concerned about the City of Johannesburg's forfeiture of a R313 million public transport grant due to ongoing operational failures within the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. This is a significant setback for the city's transport infrastructure and highlights the deepening structural and governance challenges in managing Johannesburg's public transport systems. Originally earmarked to support and expand the Rea Vaya network, the lost funding carries...

Collaborative Action Turns the Tide on Road Fatalities

Easter 2025 Road Safety Gains Welcomed - AA The Automobile Association (AA) welcomes the significant reduction in vehicle collisions and fatalities recorded over the Easter 2025 period. These positive outcomes underscore the effectiveness of early planning, consistent law enforcement, and strong partnerships in saving lives on South African roads. According to official statistics, road crashes decreased by 32.5% while fatalities declined by 45.6% compared to Easter 2024 – making the lowest...