AA Blogs

February is the month of love, and the ideal time to show your partner how much you cherish them. It is also a good time to show how much you care for the other love in your life: your car. Regular car care is vital to ensuring your car operates optimally. And, perhaps more importantly, looking after your car will extend its good looks, and improve its resale value. Another important reason to...

Returning from holiday after a long break can be quite stressful for many drivers who have to begin renegotiating heavy morning and afternoon traffic again. At this time of the year it’s always a good idea to familiarise yourself with some basic road rules that keep you and your family safe on the road. A good starting point are the ten Golden Rules ffor road safety published by the...

Another way you can show your love to other road users is by making sure you keep to the rules while using the national roads/freeways. Regulation 323 of the National Road Traffic Act stipulates what a motorist must not do on our national freeways. Specifically, a motorist cannot use the following modes of transport: Operate a vehicle pulled by an animal A pedal cycle A motor cycle with a...

Anyone who took the K53 driver’s licence test will also recall the tedious 30-point exterior and 8-point interior pre-trip vehicle inspection. This includes checking everything from the exterior mirrors and windscreen to the number plate, indicator lenses and seat belts. The day you passed the test was probably the last time you did such a thorough check of your car but all drivers should in...

In July 2015 a law was introduced which requires passengers in a vehicle who are younger than three years of age to be in a child seat. Unfortunately, little has changed in the way many people transport children, with compliance among drivers apparently still very low. People who drive with children in their car who are not buckled up, or in child restraint seats, are risking the lives of these...

With the holiday season over, road users should always remember the importance of driving a roadworthy vehicle. It is both dangerous and illegal to drive on a damaged tyre, or a tyre that has been fitted to the rim incorrectly, as these could pose danger to other road users. In terms of the law, the tread on tyres must be at least one mm deep across the tyre’s entire width over the full...

While the official road fatality statistics for 2017 have not yet been released, the figures for the festive period from 1 December 2017 to 15 January 2018 have been made public. These show that 1676 people died on South African roads during the holidays. And, while this number is lower than the 1714 the previous year, it is still an unacceptable high number of people who have died on our roads....

It’s a new year and many school leavers will be going to tertiary institutions. Graduates are also starting their working careers. As a result, parents and young people will be looking to buy a first car. While aspects such as looks, specification levels and fuel consumption will undoubtedly play a role in the choice of vehicle, safety features should also be a key consideration. In 2016, the AA...

It’s that time of the year again when South Africans across the country are putting the final touches on their annual vacation plans. Holidays in South Africa mean hundreds of thousands of people will be on the country’s roads, and we urge all motorists to also prepare themselves, and their vehicles, for this period. The annual summer holidays are a great time to relax and recover from the past...

Previous to the promulgation of the Consumer Protection Act, consumers had limited rights relayed to them in terms of purchasing a second hand vehicle especially in relation to the inclusion of a “voetstoots” clause which is the ambit under which most used motor vehicles were sold. A voetstoots clause which, in effect, stipulates that the property will be sold 'as is'. The effect of such a...

You’ve been saving all year for your annual family vacation. You’ve found the ideal accommodation online and you’ve paid the deposit. However, upon your arrival you find that the establishment does not exist. You have not only lost the money you’ve paid but there is no other accommodation available. Read on to find out how you can avoid falling victim to holiday accommodation scams. Use the...