Cash-strapped drivers should not be tempted to save money by getting behind the wheel without insurance, it has been claimed.

According to the AA, motorists who take to the road without the necessary cover could well be stopped by the police, as officers are increasingly using number plate recognition technology to catch offenders.

The group issued this warning after noting a 17 per cent rise in the number of its customers who have defaulted on monthly insurance payments.

Director Simon Douglas explained the consequences of driving without cover.

"If you have no insurance, your car will be confiscated, is likely to be crushed and you will be prosecuted," he stated.

Mr Douglas added: "The police are stopping 500 vehicles suspected of being uninsured every day."

This comes after the Motor Insurers’ Bureau launched its Stay Insured campaign.

In related news, the Ministry of Justice recently announced revised procedures for personal injury claims worth between £1,000 and £10,000.

An innovative new car part could help vehicle manufacturers meet European CO2 reduction targets, it has been claimed.

Controlled Power Technologies (CPT) stated using its electric supercharger along with taller gearing and smaller petrol or diesel engines would allow auto builders improve their green credentials.

The company’s Variable Torque Enhancement System is now being incorporated in a project being run by powertrain developer AVL, as well as the £3 million HyBoost programme unveiled by the Technology Strategy Board earlier this month.

An electric supercharger is unaffected by engine speed – unlike one driven by a crankshaft or exhaust.

CPT explained this is important because the power of an auto will be largely unaffected when using its device.

Engineering director Guy Morris commented: "Motorists must feel confident that they can safely keep up with the flow of traffic and will have certain minimum expectations when it comes to vehicle performance."

Meanwhile, Elektromotive has called on the government to make the introduction of electric cars a priority.

There is no point in manufacturers producing car parts for electric vehicles if the necessary infrastructure for the widespread introduction of such models is not in place, it has been suggested.

Elektromotive has called on the government to make sure the country is ready for significant increases in the number of battery-operated autos in the coming years.

The Brighton-based company issued this appeal as it prepares to demonstrate its Elektrobay charging stations at the upcoming Conservative and Labour Party conferences.

It revealed it has joined forces with General Motors to offer politicians first-hand experience of using the facilities with Vauxhall’s battery-powered Ampera model.

Managing director Calvey Taylor-Haw stated: "It is vital the government keeps the introduction of electric vehicles at the top of its agenda."

In other news, Elektromotive recently revealed it was installing 150 of its Elektrobay charging stations across the campus of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia.

Damage to car parts could be the least of a driver’s problems in the event of a collision with a deer, it has been suggested.

A number of motoring and animal-protection organisations have joined forces to warn vehicle owners about a rise in the number of such accidents.

The Deer Initiative Partnership has launched a new scheme to advise drivers they can reduce their chances of being involved in a crash with one of the creatures by keeping their eyes peeled.

Chairman of the campaign group Jane Rabagliati explained: "DeerAware is about changing driver behaviour – if you slow down and watch out, you have a good chance of preventing a potentially fatal collision."

At the moment, there are up to 74,000 crashes involving the animals every year – some of which result in fatalities.

In other news, the Highways Agency – which is one of the bodies involved in the campaign – recently highlighted another growing problem on Britain’s roads.

The organisation claimed a rising number of motorists are putting themselves and other drivers at risk by running out of fuel on the motorway.

Certain car parts and accessories may still be selling well despite the recession, if new research is anything to go by.

A study by the insurer Swiftcover has revealed although new auto sales are down, motorists are continuing to spend money on their vehicles.

Registrations of models straight off the production line have fallen 21.5 per cent compared with this time last year.

However, the number of drivers investing in personalised number plates has remained relatively stable – with sales down less than five per cent.

Tina Shortle, marketing manager with Swiftcover, claimed the findings show that even when times are tough and people cannot afford to buy a new auto, they still like to indulge in fun vehicle-related purchases.

She stated: "For many drivers, personalised registrations add to the enjoyment of motoring."

Ms Shortle concluded the findings demonstrate that Brits are a nation of car lovers.

In other news, a previous survey by Swiftcover found 12 per cent of Brits find driving to work to be the most stressful journey they make.

Auto enthusiasts who attend the 2009 Classic Motor Show will be treated to a rare sight, it has been claimed.

Organisers have revealed the event is to feature four prototype Citroen models – three of which have never been seen in Britain before.

The display has been arranged to mark the manufacturer’s 90th anniversary.

Usually kept at the carmaker’s Conservatoire in Paris, the prototypes being exhibited are a 1936 TPV or 2CV, a 1956 C-10, a 1960s C-60 and the 1971 Projet L.

A number of Citroen auto clubs and the manufacturer’s UK division have been responsible for organising the display.

The Classic Motor Show is scheduled to take place at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre between November 13th and 15th and the event team has promised there will be plenty of other treats in store for people who attend.

Previously, it was announced this year’s gathering is to feature some autos that may be younger than the typical models usually associated with the bash.

Motorists could cause serious damage to an important car part if they fail to use the most appropriate fluids when carrying out basic maintenance, it has been claimed.

According to Castrol, choosing the wrong type of oil could result in a hefty engine repair bill.

The group warned fixing a vehicle that has been given the incorrect fluid can cost anything up to £5,000.

In light of this, the company has launched a trial in London to help motorists make the right choice.

Traffic cameras are being used to identify the make and model of a car, with a billboard further down the road flashing up the most appropriate oil for the vehicle in question.

Auto expert Quentin Willson said it is a great idea.

"I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to use the right oil for your car and I love the idea of reaching motorists whilst they are actually driving their cars," he stated.

Previously, Castrol warned people that nearly a fifth of all breakdowns are the result of engine problems.

Innovative Mazda car parts are helping the manufacturer improve its green credentials, it has been suggested.

The company pointed out it has created a 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine equipped with selective catalytic reduction technology that cuts harmful NOx gases.

In addition, the group’s stop/start system is capable of fuel savings of up to 14 per cent when fitted to the new Mazda3 i-stop model.

The carmaker highlighted these innovations after a European Federation for Transport and Environment report revealed, out of 14 leading manufacturers, the firm had been the second most successful in 2008 at reducing the average CO2 emissions of its motors.

Mazda recorded a drop of 8.2 per cent, behind BMW with a cut of 10.2 per cent.

The carmaker revealed it plans to reduce the average CO2 emissions of its autos a further 23 per cent by 2015.

In other news, Mazda recently unveiled an MX-5 made specially for the Frankfurt International Motor Show.

Superminis are a great choice for motorists looking to protect the planet and their pockets, it has been suggested.

According to auto information group HPI, this type of car is proving particularly popular in the current economic downturn.

It also claimed there is a supermini to suit everyone – from basic, economical models to more sporty vehicles.

Valuations expert Martin Keighley stated: "Add this to their generally lower than average production of carbon emissions and these cars offer guilt-free, greener motoring and good value – a winning combination."

In order to help people choose the best autos available, the company has come up with its top ten supermini recommendations.

Leading the pack is the Honda Jazz, followed by the Hyundai i20 and the Seat Ibiza.

In other news, a recently survey by HPI found I Want to Break Free by Queen is the nation’s favourite driving song from the 1980s.

Damaged car parts could be the least of a driver’s problems if items being carried in the auto are not secured properly and there is a crash, it has been suggested.

Avis made this comment as thousands of students prepare to start the autumn term at university.

The vehicle rental group said trips back to campus often involve trying to ram everything but the kitchen sink into an unsuitable auto.

Katie Shephard from road safety charity Brake claimed incorrectly secured objects pose "a potentially deadly risk".

She explained: "If you crash or suddenly brake, these objects could smash into you or your passengers with devastating consequences."

Avis suggested students may be better off renting a vehicle that can accommodate their belongings comfortably, rather than simply trying to make everything fit into a model that is too small for the job.

Previously, the group claimed hiring a car for a romantic drive in the country could be a great way to surprise a loved one.