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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Don’t leave children or pets in vehicles
As temperatures in specifically the northern provinces soar again today, we warn all motorists to not leave children or pets in vehicles, even for short periods of time. Temperatures in cars can climb very rapidly, and even if a window is cracked slightly open, the inside temperature will exceed outside temperatures by several degrees. Children and pets who are left in cars are vulnerable and...
Fuel trending downwards for January
Fuel prices are set for month-end decreases. This is according to the Automobile Association (AA) which was commenting on mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. The Rand/US dollar exchange rate has had one of its flattest periods of trading in recent times. It has traded in a very narrow band between R12.30 and R12.40 to the US currency since the last week of December,...
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...
Fuel down, but Rand risk looms
Fuel prices for April will be lower than in March, even accounting for the 39 cents a litre rise in fuel taxes which take effect at month-end. (Unaudited month-end fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund.) International petroleum prices continued to ease during March on the back of increased global oil stocks which have mostly blunted OPEC's recent production restrictions. Over the...
Extended drinking hours need to be matched with extended enforcement hours
We have noted reports that the Gauteng Liquor Board has agreed to extend liquor trading hours at the weekend to coincide with the ANC’s 105th anniversary celebrations. Thousands of ANC supporters are expected in the province from Friday to Sunday as part of the festivities. In reports this afternoon, Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Mr Lebogang Maile is quoted as saying the event is...
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...
