Call for stronger penalties for texting drivers

DRIVERS convicted of causing death by dangerous driving should be given stronger and more consistent penalties, according to road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists has said. An IAM analysis of eleven recent prosecutions involving mobile and smartphone use revealed that the average sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is four-and-a-half years in prison and a disqualification from driving for seven years. In all of the cases analysed, the convicted drivers were found to have lost their concentration due to using their mobile phone.

McLaren P1 production starts in Woking

McLaren P1 production starts in Woking The Geneva Motor Show in March saw the arrival of the first production version of the new McLaren P1 (and its arch-rival, the LaFerrari). But it’s taken until now – seven months later – for McLaren to finish final testing of the P1 before pressing the button on their clinical assembly line to start customer P1s rolling out. In between the reveal at Geneva and production starting, McLaren have been having a bash at the Nurburgring (with mixed results) and doing some final hot weather testing on the P1, but now – apart from a few inevitable tweaks once the P1 gets out in to the real world – the P1 is ready for its customers.

Morgan's eco car

By Ben Barry First Official Pictures 15 March 2007 05:05 Morgan Life Car: the lowdown Morgan, that most traditional of British brands, has announced it will launch a zero-emissions car called the Life Car at next year’s Geneva show. Based on the regular Aero chassis, the Life Car is part DTI-funded and involves partnerships with Oxford University and a company that developed fuel-cell technology for military applications – such as providing medical teams with power during conflicts. The Life Car is predicted to weigh 600kg, have a small fuel cell delivering 33bhp and, erm, no brakes.