Alastair Shephard

Content Writer

Alastair Shephard | Author

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

Joseph Law | Author

Speed cameras. Love them or loath them, they're there for one purpose – to keep our roads safe.

But is there a point where speed cameras go too far; when these speedy defenders become downright nosy parkers?

That's the debate around a new trial of speed cameras powered by artificial intelligence currently in operation across the UK.

These new AI cameras are designed to enhance road safety beyond just speeding. They look for drivers committing offences such as driving without seatbelts or using mobile phones, a new approach that aims to penalise distracted drivers and reduce road accidents.

So, how do they work? The system uses a multi-cam setup to capture different views of the driver and passengers. Artificial intelligence then analyses the footage to see if an offence has been committed.

But don't worry, it's not all down to AI. Identified offences are checked and verified by police officers.

Early results from the trial were promising. The cameras detected 590 instances of drivers not wearing seatbelts and 40 cases of mobile phone use within just a few weeks.

Following the trial's success the programme was expanded in 2024 to include 10 police forces across the country – Durham, Greater Manchester, Humberside, Staffordshire, West Mercia, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Norfolk, Thames Valley, and Sussex.

With so many drivers caught not wearing their belts and on their phones, the results speak for themselves – the more drivers fined for these simple errors, the fewer accidents we'll see, making our roads a safer place for everyone.

What do you think of the new AI cameras? Would you be happy to have one in your home town?

This new speed camera can see MORE than just your speed

Supermarkets put a lot of effort into trying to get customers through their doors. Memorable Christmas adverts, friendly mascots, and price-slashing loyalty cards; they're full of creative ideas that will get you to do your big shop in their store.

But we've had an even better idea. What if supermarkets made cars? 

What would they look like? How would they handle? And, most importantly, would they give you a discount for filling up at one of their pumps?

To find out, we've asked AI to create what cars would look like if they were created by our favourite big grocery shoppers.

What if supermarkets made cars?

Music whilst driving is an absolute must. There's no better way to pass the time than belting out some tunes at the top of your lungs.

But with so much time spent in our cars and only, let's face it, a handful of songs that we truly like it's incredibly difficult to find the perfect playlist.

We're all guilty of playing the same songs over and over until we can't stand to hear them one more time – I'm looking at you, Wicked Soundtrack.

But fear not, to spice up your drive-time playlists, we bring you the ultimate list of the most popular songs for your next musical road trip.

's research, the most popular driving songs of all time have now been revealed.

Taking the top spot is the undisputed ultimate rock banger Mr Brightside by The Killers. Followed closely by good 4 u by American singer-songwriter, Olivia Rodrigo. Heat Waves by Glass Animals took third place.

Other honourable mentions include Africa by American rock band TOTO, As It Was by One Direction's Harry Styles, and Hey Ya! by Outkast.

Want to add these top tunes to your driving playlist? We've included the full list below. Happy listening!

Revealed: Most popular driving song of all time

We've all done things we're not proud of behind the wheel – road-raging at other drivers, playing music too loudly, accelerating when we see the amber light. 

But not all bad driving habits are made equal. Some are particularly worse than others.

When one anonymous X (formerly Twitter) user took to the platform to confess their driving sins, they could be forgiven for thinking it was a habit everybody shared.

But unfortunately, it didn't go down the way they'd planned, as other users responded with absolute disgust.

Posted by @fesshole, an account sharing anonymous confessions on various topics, the motorist admitted to a driving habit so gross not even the strongest amongst us could stomach it.

I used to have a strange addiction”, the user began. They then explained how they “used to wipe my earwax on the underside of my driver's seat in my car.”

The user then confessed how they'd sold this waxy vehicle to another unsuspecting driver: “It got to a bad point actually, so if you're driving around in a 56-plate VW Golf covered in earwax then I personally apologise.”

Well, at least they've apologised to the new owner!

Some Twitter users, understandably, found this disgusting. One said, “This grosses me out." While another replied simply, “I hate”.

Other users seemed to see the funny side, with one user commenting, “The real test drive isn’t on the road—it’s the immune system of whoever bought that car.” Another said, “Volkswaxen golf”. 

However you see this confession one thing is for sure, if you're the owner of a 56-plate VW Golf, you'd better check under your seats.

Motorist admits to gross driving habit

Whether you're letting your imagination run wild or standing on a piece left on the living room floor, everybody loves a bit of LEGO – right?

But imagine if you could step into your very own showroom and select your favourite car made completely out of these colourful little bricks.

Well, now you can! We've used AI to turn the most popular cars on UK roads into marvellous LEGO creations.

Ready for a tour of our showroom? Step inside…

What would our cars look like made out of LEGO?

If you’re anything like most drivers, as soon as you pass your test everything you learnt goes straight out the window.

At least that’s what a recent survey asking drivers what common road signs meant has revealed.

The shocking survey results showed just how many drivers have no idea when it comes to road signs, with many not being able to identify the simplest ones.

With so many not knowing what the meaning of these common signs are, you wouldn’t be blamed for not wanting to get back out on the road any time soon.

This simple sign was particularly troublesome for survey respondents with a massive 62% unable to identify it.

The white rectangle on a red circle is in fact the no entry sign. You may see this sign when you’re driving around town. This sign is telling you no vehicular traffic can enter an area.

A slightly more forgivable one next on the list here. This red cross on a blue background means no stopping at any time. 42% of respondents didn’t know what this meant and with so many rules and signs around stopping and parking, we’re not too sure we can blame them.

3. Single diagonal line on a blue background

Perhaps responsible for the confusion over the no stopping sign, this red and blue symbol looks very similar. It also has a similar meaning – no waiting. 

You can stop on the road briefly, for example to drop off or pick up a passenger, but you cannot linger there.

Now we certainly think there are a few drivers who don’t know what this sign means.

The white number on a blue background is there to tell you the minimum speed you should be driving. 

A shocking 70% of drivers didn’t know the meaning of this sign. So that’s the reason for those slow drivers in front of me on a Monday morning!

Hmm. It must be something to do with a bus. Right? 

It may seem obvious but a shocking 79% of respondents didn’t know that this sign was a ‘with flow bus and cycle lane’. 

Simply put, this is a lane buses and bikes use, and it goes in the same direction as the other traffic.

6. Bus behind a dashed line on a blue background

Similar to the previous example, this sign is also to do with bus lanes. Unbelievably, 72% were unable to identify this meant a ‘with flow bus lane’ was ahead. 

Sometimes these signs are accompanied by a time when the bus lane is active (usually during rush hour) so make sure to check to avoid any fines!

Those of you who like to take your push bikes out for a spin should recognise this one. 

This white bike on a blue background simply means a recommended route for pedal cycles on a road. 

Make sure to keep an eye out for any unaware drivers on your next cycle, however, as 57% didn’t know what this sign indicated.

8. White arrow pointing left on a blue background

This white arrow on a blue background simply means turn left. Signs in blue circles always indicate you must do something. This sign with an arrow is clearly telling you to turn left.

54% of drivers didn’t know the meaning of this sign.

9. White arrow pointing towards the bottom left on a blue circle

This sign looks pretty similar to our last one, so you couldn’t be blamed for thinking they have similar meanings – and they do!

This sign is telling us to keep left and is often used on roundabouts, road work signs, and at the start of dual carriage ways.

41% of drivers didn’t know the meaning of the keep left sign.

This one is an incredibly important sign to look out for. Scarily, 43% of respondents didn’t know that this sign meant they were approaching a level crossing without a barrier. 

Make sure to look out for these, particularly in rural areas.

So there you have it, 10 common road signs that drivers don’t know the meaning of. Make sure to look out for some of these on your next journey. 

Plus, keep an eye out for the 54% of drivers who didn’t know the turn left sign meant ‘turn left’!

People don’t know what these common road signs mean 

Whether you're a keen driver who loves being behind the wheel or a nervous nellie who hates to drive outside your usual routes, we all need safe roads to drive on.

To have safe roads of course we must have rules and regulations keeping our driving in check. But what happens when the laws they come up with are a bit strange? 

Let's find out as we explore 9 of the strangest driving laws from here in the UK and around the world.

In the UK, it is illegal to sleep in your car whilst intoxicated, including the driver's and passenger seats. So next time you're leaving the pub after one too many pints, it's definitely best to call an Uber. If you take a nap in your car whilst you're over the legal limit, you could face up to 3 months in prison. That's one costly night out!

Using puddles to splash pedestrians can be considered a criminal offence here in the UK as it can be deemed careless and inconsiderate driving. Plus, nobody likes to be splashed with dirty rainwater. Of course, this wouldn't be an extreme case of careless driving exactly, but you could still face points on your license.

In Cyprus, it's illegal to consume any food or drink whilst driving, including water. In this sunny country reaching to the cup holder to take a quick swig of Evian is completely out of the question. However, there must be something in it as Cyprus is considered to be a relatively safe country for motorists.

Here in Britain, you must keep your number plate clean and visible at all times. If stopped by the police for an obscured registration plate, you could land yourself a hefty fine. So next time your little yellow rectangle is muddy from country roads make sure to give it a quick wipe before setting off.

It's hard to keep your cool behind the wheel. We've all experienced it at one time or another. But angry and aggressive driving on British roads can be considered disorderly conduct. Especially if it leads to a collision.

In case you haven't received the message yet, it's definitely not a good idea to drink and drive. To help motorists understand how much they've had, France requires drivers to keep their own personal breathalyser in their vehicles. 

Back to the UK now where it states in the highway code that you mustn't drive with excessive volume coming from your speaker. This rule is to make sure drivers can hear important signals from other road users, like horns and sirens from emergency vehicles.

The Swiss are prohibited from slamming car doors. Imagine a world without car doors being slammed late at night! However, gently closing a car door during an argument with your significant other wouldn't really have the same impact.

In the UK, it's illegal to use your phone at a drive-through. Most of us love the convenience of using Apple or Google Pay to quickly tap-and-go but their use whilst in your car is strictly prohibited. This is due to laws that have banned the use of mobile phones while in control of a motorised vehicle.

While at first glance some of these laws may seem strange, no drinking water at the wheel, no angry driving, no Apple Pay at the drive-through, it's obvious they're all in place for a reason, to keep our roads safer. 

So perhaps we can learn something from other countries. Or perhaps we will continue to slam our car doors every time we have a bicker about directions with our partners. I know which one I'm going to do.

9 strange driving laws from around the world

The 1990s could be seen as a decade of immense change. The collapse of the Soviet Union began a new era of relative peace, the start of the internet changed how we communicate with each other forever, and new waves of musical genres such as Britpop started blasting from our Walkmens.

But politics and entertainment weren't the only things to have a complete overhaul. Big changes to our cars saw huge improvements in design, safety and comfort. From the modern safety features of the Ford Fiesta to the stylish design of the Vauxhall Corsa, the 1990s were truly a remarkable time for our vehicles.

To celebrate this unique decaude in our vehicular history we've rounded up a list of the most popular top-selling cars of the 1990s.

What are the top-selling cars of the 1990s?

Replacing the Renault 5 in 1990, the Renault Clio was known for its small size and excellent fuel efficiency. Despite being one of the smaller cars on this list, the 90s Clio's interior was considered to be incredibly spacious and this model was popular due to its reliability and affordability.

The VW Polo II, known as the Typ 86C received a huge overhaul in the 1990s. This second generation was known for its boxy shape, steep rear window and a range of engine options. Some drivers praised the Polo II for its solid and practical design but the model was said to be plagued by mechanical issues. 

Known for its handling and fuel efficiency, drivers praised the 1990s Volkswagen Golf, known as the Mk2, as an icon of automotive excellence. This hatchback came in a variety of trim levels, including the sporty GTI and R models.

First introduced in the UK in 1993, the Vauxhall Corsa has been described as stylish, spacious and comfortable. Replacing the Vauxhall Nova, The Corsa was popular with young people for its stylish design and with older drivers for its comfortable ride.

Described as one of the best BMWs of the 1990s, the Series 3 included several models including the Sedan, Coupe, and Compact Hatchback. The 1990s model, known as the E36, is a practical two-door car that some reviews say is still comfortable to drive today.

A very popular ride throughout the 1990s, the MK3 was the third-generation Cavalier known for its aerodynamic design, comfortability and modern styling. With flush-fitting windows and a revised suspension for a smooth ride, the Cavalier won What Car's Family Car of the Year in 1989 and 1990.

A small family car, the Vauxhall Astra maintained its popularity right through the 1990s. The Mk2 was first released in 1984 and, despite frequently topping sales lists, never outpaced the Ford Escort.

Originally marketed as a supermini, the Rover 200 compared closely in size to the contemporary models of the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa. Rover priced the car to compete with the likes of the Ford Escort and Vauxhall Astra.

Launched in '93, the Peugeot 306, was a small hatchback, popular due to its unbeatable handling and ride quality. The model had favourable reviews, with drivers describing the vehicle as nimble and a fun ride. Identical under the skin to the Citroen ZX, the 1.6-litre proved popular with drivers throughout the 1990s.

Also known as the K11, the second generation of the Nissan Micra was first produced in 1992. This popular vehicle was built in the UK, Japan, and Taiwan. Dubbed the 90s version of the Mini, the Nissan Micra was praised for its reliability.

Perhaps one of the greatest automotive turnarounds of all time, the Ford Mondeo was a midsized car first produced in 1993. Available as a four-door saloon, five-door hatchback, and an estate, it received favourable reviews for its handling and comfort.

Discontinued in 2023 after 47 years of production, Ford released a variety of models of the Fiesta throughout the 1990s. Notably, the third-generation model, which had a top speed of 133 mph, and the Mk4, an extensibly revised version with improved handling and modern safety features.

At the top of the list for being an iconic 90s classic, the Ford Escort was a practical, family-friendly car produced from 1990 to 2001. Finally replaced by the Ford Focus, the final version of the Escort had improved on many of the features lacking in its first iteration, including reliable ride quality and low ownership costs.

Top selling cars of the 90s - Final thoughts

There you have it, the most popular cars of the 1990s. As we've seen, the 90s saw a rise in the popularity of small, reliable hatchbacks. With an extra focus on comfort and safety, the cars of the 90s certainly didn't compromise on style and design.

How reliable is your motor? Split the cost of repairs and services into interest-free instalments with Bumper. Choose from 1000s of garages and dealerships across the UK.

has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

13 top selling cars of the 1990s

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