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Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Maverick
Loaded for Bear: Would left turns on red lights safely cut SA's fuel usage?
One of the many upshots of the Arab oil embargo in 1973 — aside from stagflation and the beginning of the end of blue-collar prosperity — was that it triggered a major traffic reform in North America: the right turn on right light or RTOR. In 1973, Arab members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) imposed an embargo on the US because of its support for Israel during the Yom Kippur War. Canada was also hit hard by this embargo, and I can recall from my childhood in Nova Scotia sitting with my parents in long queues at petrol stations. One of the many upshots of this drama — aside from stagflation and the beginning of the end of blue collar-prosperity — was that it triggered a major traffic reform in North America: the right turn on right light or RTOR. The thinking behind it was that it would save on the consumption of petrol — or gas as it is called in North America — by allowing motorists to make a right turn on a red light if the coast was clear rather than waiting another 20 or 40 or 60 seconds while their engine idled. For a single outing to work or the grocery store or wherever, that would not amount to much. But multiplied millions or tens of millions of times per day, savings were seen to be had in a time of chronic shortages and soaring prices. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 required states to allow right turns on red lights to be eligible for federal assistance for mandated conservation programmes. It was an energy-saving and green policy at a time when even Republicans were not opposed to environmental regulations. Straightforward The rules are pretty straightforward. If you want to turn right you treat the red light as a stop sign, coming to a complete stop and making sure there is no traffic coming from your left before proceeding. At some intersections, a sign will say that right turns on red lights are not allowed at certain times of the day such as during rush-hour traffic. North Americans of course drive on the right-hand side of the road, so in South Africa such a reform would allow for left turns on red robots. When this correspondent first came to South Africa in 1998, it took me a while to realise that I was not, in fact, allowed to make a left turn when the light was red. So, would such a reform be sensible in South Africa? South Africa does not face a crisis in petrol supplies — at least, not yet! — and declining fuel prices have been a key driver of slowing inflation, though the fuel levy hike will arrest that promising trend somewhat. But every drop counts and South Africa also needs to reduce its emissions of the greenhouse gases that are fuelling rapid climate change. It must be said that in North America there has been some questioning of this rule of the road on both fuel saving and safety grounds. One 2024 study by researchers at the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University found that '… RTOR movements are generally unsafe for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers, while only marginally useful in lowering emissions and only under certain contexts. Those marginal benefits may further decline with increased electric vehicle (EV) adoption.' Given the carnage on South Africa's roads, policy makers would need to think twice about introducing a measure that would make driving even more treacherous. Dangerous and reckless driving There is a lot of dangerous and reckless driving in South Africa, and minibus taxi drivers spring immediately to mind. How many of them would come to complete stops and make sure it is safe to execute a left turn at a red robot? I am guessing not that many and they are hardly the only menace on South Africa's roads. Also, to make a left turn on a red robot you need functioning robots in the first place. Many South African drivers don't seem to get the point that a traffic light that is not working at an intersection — a frequent occurrence — should be treated like a four-way stop. Such situations are often treated like a game of chicken and chaos, horns blaring, middle-fingers extended and road rage are often the result. Imagine the stoners who try to make a buck out of this chaos by 'directing' traffic when the robots die trying to also navigate a left turn rule. Still, I often grow impatient when I am at a functioning robot and could safely turn left but am prohibited from doing so. (Full disclosure — I sometimes do it. I did learn to drive in Canada.) I am sure many South African motorists feel the same. But come to think of it, given how the rules of the road in South Africa are so frequently violated, maybe the left turn on the red light is fairly common anyway. And maybe, some day, South African motorists will be overwhelmingly careful and law abiding, allowing for a left turn at a red light to be made legal with relative safety. I don't think EVs are going to rule the roads here any time soon and fuel needs to be saved — and greenhouse gas emissions slashed — by hook or by crook. DM
The Star
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Oil falls as higher OPEC+ output expectations weigh on sentiment
Oil prices slipped for a second session on Tuesday on increasing expectations members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, known as OPEC+, will decide to increase their output at a meeting later this week. Brent crude futures shed 24 cents, or 0.4%, to $64.50 a barrel by 0507 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down 29 cents, or 0.5%, at $61.24 a barrel. The WTI contract did not settle on Monday because of the U.S. Memorial Day holiday. "Crude oil edged lower as the market contemplated the outlook for rising OPEC supply," Daniel Hynes, senior commodity strategist at ANZ, said in a note. OPEC+ will likely finalise July output at their meeting, which sources have previously told Reuters will entail a production increase of 411,000 barrels per day. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday that OPEC+ had yet to discuss hiking output. The group is likely to finalise output quotas in an online ministerial meeting on May 28. Eight OPEC+ members that had pledged additional voluntary cuts are now expected to meet on May 31, one day earlier than previously scheduled, three sources within the group told Reuters on Monday. OPEC+ members had already agreed to accelerate oil output increases for a second month in June. However, U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to extend trade talks with the European Union until July 9 alleviated immediate fears of tariffs that could suppress fuel demand, placing a lid on losses. Iran set the official selling price for its light crude oil grade for Asian buyers at $1.80 a barrel above the Oman/Dubai average for June, the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) said. The price it set for May was a premium of $1.65. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Iran would be able to survive if negotiations with the U.S. over its nuclear programme fail to secure a deal. If nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran fail, it could mean continued sanctions on Iran, which would limit Iranian supply and be supportive of oil prices. - Reuters
Business Recorder
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Oil little changed as higher OPEC+ output expectations weigh on sentiment
Oil prices were little changed on Tuesday on increasing expectations members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, known as OPEC+, will decide to increase their output at a meeting later this week. Brent crude futures were up 11 cents, or 0.2%, at $64.85 a barrel by 0640 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 6 cents, or 0.1%, to $61.59 a barrel. The WTI contract did not settle on Monday because of the US Memorial Day holiday. 'Crude oil edged lower as the market contemplated the outlook for rising OPEC supply,' Daniel Hynes, senior commodity strategist at ANZ, said in a note. OPEC+ will likely finalise July output at their meeting, which sources have previously told Reuters will entail a production increase of 411,000 barrels per day. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday that OPEC+ had yet to discuss hiking output. The group is likely to finalise output quotas in an online ministerial meeting on May 28. Eight OPEC+ members that had pledged additional voluntary cuts are now expected to meet on May 31, one day earlier than previously scheduled, three sources within the group told Reuters on Monday. OPEC+ members had already agreed to accelerate oil output increases for a second month in June. However, US President Donald Trump's decision to extend trade talks with the European Union until July 9 alleviated immediate fears of tariffs that could suppress fuel demand. Oil steadies after Trump extends EU trade talks deadline Iran set the official selling price for its light crude oil grade for Asian buyers at $1.80 a barrel above the Oman/Dubai average for June, the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) said. The price it set for May was a premium of $1.65. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Iran would be able to survive if negotiations with the US over its nuclear programme fail to secure a deal. If nuclear talks between the US and Iran fail, it could mean continued sanctions on Iran, which would limit Iranian supply and be supportive of oil prices.
Business Recorder
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Oil falls as higher OPEC+ output expectations weigh on sentiment
Oil prices slipped for a second session on Tuesday on increasing expectations members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, known as OPEC+, will decide to increase their output at a meeting later this week. Brent crude futures shed 24 cents, or 0.4%, to $64.50 a barrel by 0507 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down 29 cents, or 0.5%, at $61.24 a barrel. The WTI contract did not settle on Monday because of the US Memorial Day holiday. 'Crude oil edged lower as the market contemplated the outlook for rising OPEC supply,' Daniel Hynes, senior commodity strategist at ANZ, said in a note. OPEC+ will likely finalise July output at their meeting, which sources have previously told Reuters will entail a production increase of 411,000 barrels per day. Russian Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday that OPEC+ had yet to discuss hiking output. The group is likely to finalise output quotas in an online ministerial meeting on May 28. Eight OPEC+ members that had pledged additional voluntary cuts are now expected to meet on May 31, one day earlier than previously scheduled, three sources within the group told Reuters on Monday. Oil steadies after Trump extends EU trade talks deadline OPEC+ members had already agreed to accelerate oil output increases for a second month in June. However, US President Donald Trump's decision to extend trade talks with the European Union until July 9 alleviated immediate fears of tariffs that could suppress fuel demand, placing a lid on losses. Iran set the official selling price for its light crude oil grade for Asian buyers at $1.80 a barrel above the Oman/Dubai average for June, the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) said. The price it set for May was a premium of $1.65. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Monday that Iran would be able to survive if negotiations with the US over its nuclear programme fail to secure a deal. If nuclear talks between the US and Iran fail, it could mean continued sanctions on Iran, which would limit Iranian supply and be supportive of oil prices.
Local France
07-05-2025
- Business
- Local France
Will petrol prices continue to drop in France?
As of May 7th, one litre of unleaded petrol (SP95-E10, the most popular fuel in France) cost on average €1.667 at French filling stations, which is €0.23 lower than it at the same time last year. Meanwhile, the price per litre of diesel was on €1.561 per litre at the start of the month, an €0.18 drop from May 2024. READ ALSO MAP: Where to find the cheapest fuel in France What is happening with the price at the pump? It is possible that fuel prices could continue to drop in the coming weeks, as the price of petrol is linked to the price of crude oil, which dropped to its lowest level globally since February 2021, after the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) confirmed it was ramping up production. OPEC said that it would produce an additional 411,000 barrels per day in June, on top of an increase of 137,000 barrels per day that started in April. The announcement triggered an immediate three percent fall in the price of Brent crude on the global oil markets, to $60.20 per barrel on Monday May 5th – when they had been as high as $82 as recently as January 15th. There are global political and economic reasons for OPEC's decision, from rising tensions between USA and China, to the global trade war, US President Donald Trump's scattergun tariff policy and his pro-oil drilling position. There are even suggestions that the move is intended to bring certain members of OPEC back into line after they ignored earlier quotas. Does that mean prices for motorists will keep falling? OPEC has suggested that the increase in production may only be temporary. 'The gradual increases may be paused or reversed subject to evolving market conditions,' it said in a statement on Saturday. It is next due to meet on June 1st. Experts also believe that the short-term future means prices will remain relatively low because of the slowdown in global growth – hindered and inhibited further by Trump's ongoing tariff back-and-forth. Forecasts suggest that the price per barrel on global markets are set to hover around $60 for a few months – which could mean a summer of content for holidaymakers in France. Advertisement That said, in France, taxes make up 60 percent of the price of a litre of fuel, and they have so far acted as a brake on price drops. While the price per barrel has fallen around 20 percent, motorists themselves have seen just a 12 percent drop in prices at the pumps. And experts – who see this latest move in part as an effort to regain market share – do not expect OPEC to hike production much more. For oil production to be profitable to the eight nations in the bloc, they cannot sell below $50 per barrel, economists believe. As such, this could mean that motorists may only see a few centimes drop off from the average price of a litre.
