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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Lockdown Alert Level 1 – Notice
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday 16 September announced that the country would be moving to Lockdown Alert Level 1 as of midnight on Sunday, 20 September. This move means more areas of the economy will open, and that certain restrictions have been lifted. For travelers, the easing of restrictions include: The opening of borders for international travel from 1 October 2020 subject to...
South Africans want safer school zones to protect children
South African parents overwhelmingly support investment in safe walking and cycling to protect children on their journey to school from both COVID-19 and road danger, an international opinion survey conducted by YouGov for the Child Health Initiative shows. The results, released earlier this week by the Child Health Initiative show that in South Africa: 50% of parents think the roads are not...
Vehicle warranties offer lifeline when you need it most
In the current economic climate consumers are becoming more demanding about the products they buy, and are looking at getting the most value from anything which costs money. David Chard, Managing Director of AA Warranties says for this reason people must do their homework before making any significant purchases, particularly those which relate to their vehicles. “A product such as an extended...
Drunk driving amendment misses the mark
Enforcement and education key to changing behaviour Changing traffic laws relating to drunk driving is meaningless and will be ineffective if current laws that regulate alcohol and driving are not properly implemented and enforced first. This is the view of the Automobile Association (AA) following the announcement tonight by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula on the proposed changes to the legal...
AA Connected Car lets your vehicle ‘speak’ to you
Connecting cars … MiX Telematics Africa Managing Director, Mr Gert Pretorius (left) and AA CEO, Mr Willem Groenewald, say the partnership between the two companies will provide game changing technology to South African motorists. In a major step towards empowering motorists with information on their driving behaviour and vehicle performance, the Automobile Association (AA) has launched AA...
Safety features remain low priority on entry-level vehicles in SA
Association repeats call for higher minimum standards for vehicle safety The inclusion of some safety features on entry-level vehicles remains low in South Africa, although some positive developments in this regard have happened. This is according to the 2020 Automobile Association (AA) Entry-Level Vehicle Safety Report (ELVS) which assesses available safety features on entry-level...
Extension of licence validity major victory for motorists
The directive by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) late this afternoon to extend the validity period of licences which expired between 26 March and 31 August to the end of January 2021 is a major victory for motorists in South Africa, says the Automobile Association (AA). The AA launched a petition a little under two weeks ago urging the government to extend the validity period of...
Extension of the validity of licences
Partial victory for motorists to be welcomed but more needs to be done - AA The decision by the Department of Transport to extend the validity period of licences to the end of November is to be welcomed as a partial victory for motorists, says the Automobile Association (AA). In early June, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) announced that “All Learner’s Licences, driver’s licences,...
#ExtendtheLicence petition
The petition expected to exceed 20 000 signatures this week - AA With its petition to #ExtendtheLicence fast approaching 20 000 signatures, the Automobile Association (AA) says it believes this is an important message from the public of South Africa to the Minister of Transport, Mr Fikile Mbalula, to urgently extend the validity period of licences. As of Wednesday evening (SUBS:: 15...
AA calls on Minister to extend licence renewal period
The Automobile Association (AA) has called on Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula to extend the validity of all licences beyond the 30 August deadline, or face a situation where many thousands of motorists do not have the necessary legal driving documents. In a letter to the Minister’s office on Monday (attached hereto), AA CEO Willem Groenewald notes that the current extension period only covers...
South Africans feel unsafe even in their homes
Security concerns result in launch of new AA app More than 76 percent of South Africans say they have been victims of crimes ranging from kidnapping, murder and sexual assault to robbery and housebreaking. This is one of the findings in the State of Security Report, commissioned by the Automobile Association (AA), which is being released today. In addition to reviewing official government...
Reviewing your car insurance? Here are your options
AA Insurance Supermarket warns against cancelling outright The effects of the national lockdown have already begun to show with many businesses either scaling back operations, or completely shutting their doors. For personal consumers, the weakening economy also has serious consequences, with many reconsidering their monthly budgets. “At this time many people are thinking about ways to cut...
