'Crash for cash' scams soar by 51%

THE NUMBER of "crash for cash" car insurance scams uncovered by a major insurer surged by 51% annually last year. Aviva said it had detected around 820 staged accidents in 2013, leading to some 2,200 fraudulent personal injury claims. It is pressing for tougher penalties and said that often, rather than being locked up, fraudsters end up being sentenced to community orders, which "do little" to deter them from re-offending.

Four million drivers aged over 70

THE NUMBER of people aged over 70 who hold driving licences has exceeded four million for the first time, according to the RAC Foundation. The oldest licence holder is a 107-year-old woman, while there are 191 people aged over 100 who have licences. Once people reach 70 they must declare whether or not they are fit to drive every three years, without having to take a driving or medical examination.

Fashion designer John Varvatos continues Detroit theme in new Chrysler 300 ad

Continuing the "Imported from Detroit" campaign that launched with Eminem's epic Super Bowl ad, Chrysler has partnered with fashion designer and native Detroiter John Varvatos for the next installment in the star-studded series of commercials. With Iggy Pop playing in the background, the spot shows Varvatos driving a Chrysler 300 as the voiceover says that the Motor City's "perfect combination of rock and roll and heavy industry" made it the designer's muse. Chrysler also is running an ad with Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.