Bad news about petrol prices, how fast you can drive without getting fined, and the most stolen car part in South Africa

These were the five biggest stories in South Africa’s transport industry this week.

Bad news about petrol prices

South Africa’s fuel price recoveries have continued to deteriorate, as petrol is now expected to decrease by less than R1 per litre next month.

Diesel, on the other hand, has swung fully into the red with a price hike lined up for August. This is despite earlier reports from the Central Energy Fund indicating it would see a massive reduction.

This turn for the worse can be attributed to the global oil price, which has surged to $90 per barrel amid the renewed conflict in the Middle East.

How fast you can drive without getting fined in South Africa

The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system has been rolled out across 62 municipalities in South Africa, introducing new rules about exceeding speed limits.

Under this new system, motorists have some leeway regarding speed limits. AARTO allows for a 10km/h tolerance before drivers are penalised for speeding. Importantly, this does not apply to average speed over distance cameras.

Once the new demerit system is introduced, motorists will receive points on their licence in addition to a fine. Accumulating 15 or more points will result in your licence being suspended.

The most stolen car part in South Africa

Vehicle crime and parts theft in South Africa have evolved, with criminals increasingly targeting car accessories and vehicle parts that can be removed quickly and resold easily.

This includes alloy wheels and batteries, as well as side mirrors and infotainment systems, according to MiWay Insurance.

The insurer recommended that motorists avoid parking their cars outside overnight and install security measures like wheel lock nuts or battery brackets.

Good news for South Africans flying from Joburg to Durban

Since South Africa’s biggest airline, FlySafair, implemented a fuel surcharge on all its flights, flyers travelling from Johannesburg to Durban have been shielded more than those flying to and from Cape Town.

The airline was forced to implement temporary surcharges as a result of jet fuel prices rising rapidly during the Middle East conflicts between the USA and Iran.

Because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a passageway through which 20% of the world’s oil flows, Jet A1 fuel prices at South African coastal airports increased by approximately 70% in a single week.

South Africa facing a potential fuel shortage

South Africa may soon struggle to find a steady supply of diesel for its motorists due to the war in Iran and a new policy implemented by Russia.

Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially announced that the northern European country was suspending diesel exports to protect and restore its domestic capacity.

While South Africa does not directly import diesel from Russia, the loss of one of the world’s largest producers is expected to drive demand and prices higher as supplies are constrained.