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 up as oil price, levies bite
The fuel price is set for a steep hike as higher fuel levies kick in, and an increase in international fuel prices makes its presence felt. This is according to the unaudited month-end fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. International petroleum product prices, which have remained stable since mid-February, have climbed sharply since 12 March. We're anticipating an increase of...
Petrol price breakdown
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...
Oil price spike feeds fuel hikes
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...
Oil, Rand give fuel breather
Fuel prices are likely to drop again at the end of February. This is according to the an unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. International oil prices have been declining steeply since the start of February, and this factor has accounted for approximately half of the petrol price reduction, and more than two-thirds of the diesel price reduction. Over the same...
Fuel levy hikes will hurt the poor
The 52 cents a litre increase in the General Fuel and Road Accident Fund levies announced by Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba in today’s Budget Speech is cause for great concern. The increases amount to a total increase of 11 percent on the current levies from R4.78 to R5.30. The increases comes into effect on 1 April, along with other increases, such as the increase of VAT from 14% to 15%. The...
Fuel cheer as exchange rate holds steady
Fuel prices are set to drop in March as South Africans benefit from a stable exchange rate and lower international fuel prices. This is according to the unaudited month-end fuel data released by the Central Energy Fund. The Rand was trading at around R12.00 to the US dollar at the start of February, and has gradually strengthened to an average level approaching R11.80 for the month. Over the...
We welcome the appointment of Dr Blade Nzimande
As part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s sweeping new changes to the Cabinet, we welcome the appointment of Dr Blade Nzimande to the post of Minister of Transport. We look forward to working with Dr Nzimande on issues affecting road users particularly road safety. Dr Nzimande is a seasoned campaigner within government, and we believe this experience will serve him well in his new position. Road...
Diesel or petrol? AA releases results of survey
Thirty-seven percent of South African motorists say they will still choose diesel vehicles over petrol vehicles even though recent studies show up to 38 000 people die prematurely as a result of diesel engines exceeding their stated emissions standards. This is one of the findings in a recent survey we conducted. According to the data, 56% of respondents say they prefer diesel over petrol...
If you’re reckless on the road, do it alone
More traffic is expected on the roads in the coming weeks as families from across the country prepare to enjoy the Easter holidays. Schools close for the Easter break on 28 March and reopen on 10 April. Easter Weekend begins on 30 March (Good Friday) and ends on 2 April (Family Day). But, our message to drivers this year is different from the past. This year we’d like to urge all reckless...
Despite lower basic fuel prices, fuel will be more expensive in April
Although basic fuel prices are showing signs of further decreases at month end, the overall price of fuel is set to increase because of the addition of increased fuel levies in April. This is according to the unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. The Rand/US dollar exchange rate has been virtually flat since the beginning of the month, with the local currency...
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...
