MOTORING NEWS - The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) has welcomed the publication of the Draft Compulsory Specification (VC 8022/24) in Government Gazette No. 54970, published on 10 July 2026, which proposes revised minimum safety standards for new passenger cars sold in South Africa.

The draft regulations have been published for public comment within two months of publication.

While welcoming the proposed changes, the AA says the revised safety standards must be applied across all derivatives and specification levels of new vehicles sold in South Africa.

The association says this is particularly important in the entry-level vehicle market, where it has raised concerns about manufacturers and distributors offering fewer safety features at lower price points.

AA calls for airbag protection for all occupants

The AA has welcomed the proposed updated airbag requirements, describing the move as an important outcome of its long-running #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign.

The association says providing airbag protection for all occupants will contribute to safer vehicles, particularly in the entry-level market.

The AA is calling for both side and curtain airbags to be included in vehicles sold locally.

It says that if the minimum requirement is set at four airbags, curtain airbag protection should form part of the additional airbag functionality.

The draft specification states that vehicles must be fitted with airbags intended to protect all occupants other than the driver, in accordance with the relevant UNECE requirements for occupant protection in frontal collisions.

Side-impact protection must be mandatory

The AA has also welcomed the proposed inclusion of side-impact protection as a mandatory requirement.

Side-impact collisions have been a longstanding concern highlighted through the association's #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign, with the AA having advocated for improved side-impact protection in vehicles sold in South Africa for many years.

Under the proposed specification, occupant protection in a side-impact collision must comply with the requirements of SANS 20095:2017 Edition 1.

The AA says this represents another important step towards improving passenger protection on South African roads.

AA wants electronic stability control across all models

The association has further welcomed the inclusion of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) in the proposed safety requirements.

However, the AA says ESC should be made mandatory across all specification levels of newly introduced vehicles in South Africa.

ESC is an important vehicle-safety technology designed to improve stability and help reduce the risk and severity of certain crashes.

The draft specification recognises compliance with UNECE R140.00 as an accepted standard for electronic stability control systems.

Manufacturers to face six-month implementation period

Once the revised standards are gazetted, manufacturers will have six months to ensure that all newly introduced and sold vehicles in South Africa comply with the updated safety requirements, regardless of their specification level.

The AA views the proposed amendments as the culmination of decades of advocacy for improved consumer safety in the country's mobility sector.

According to the association, the changes could also contribute to improved NCAP vehicle safety ratings, while bringing South Africa closer into line with international markets where these safety requirements have already been implemented.

AA calls for accountability from manufacturers

The AA says it hopes its comments on the draft specification will be considered before the final legislation is gazetted.

The association is calling for legislation that will ensure local vehicle manufacturers and distributors are held accountable for meeting the revised safety requirements.

The AA says applying these standards consistently across all vehicle derivatives and specification levels will be essential to ensuring that South African consumers are not forced to compromise on basic safety when buying more affordable vehicles.

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