Tough new sentences for banned drivers

Newspress Disqualified drivers who cause death on the roads face lengthier sentences, under tough new measures introduced by the justice secretary, Chris Grayling. The changes - which are expected to come into force in early 2015 - include a new offence of causing serious injury while disqualified. Drivers convicted of this new offence can expect a four-year prison term.

Sergio Marchionne’s Dodge Challenger to be auctioned for charity

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne will auction his personal 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 392 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Palm Beach, Fla. in April. The Challenger is painted in Pitch black accented with charcoal racing stripes hand-laid by SRT designers, and all proceeds from the sale will benefit the United Way for Southeastern Michigan charity.

Mercedes-Benz to use inflatable rear seatbelts on new car

Mercedes-Benz will begin equipping its cars with inflatable seatbelts for rear passengers, making it the second automaker to use the safety technology. Mercedes said the belt would be introduced on an upcoming luxury car. A likely candidate is the redesigned S-class sedan, which the German automaker is preparing to put into production next year.