It is mainly due to high-resolution AI cameras catching ‘in-vehicle’ offences that may have previously gone unnoticed. 

A widespread lack of awareness surrounds the advanced enforcement technology being rolled out on UK roads.

New research from temporary car insurance provider Tempcover reveals nearly three-quarters (72%) of motorists are unaware that AI cameras – designed to identify offences such as seatbelt violations and mobile phone use through the windscreen – are now active across the UK.

While the implementation of AI technology varies by region and specific trial periods, the data reveals an Easter peak for offences; spikes which are likely driven by the sheer number of vehicles on the road, increased holiday enforcement and the fatigue associated with longer holiday drives.    

The data also revealed the ‘most caught’ vehicles** among these forces combined, with drivers of Audi, Ford, and Volkswagen models revealed as the most likely to be flagged for a penalty during the Easter holiday rush. 

While specific recording requirements vary by force, these three make are consistently ranked in the ‘Top 10’ for recorded offences across all the pioneer regions analysed.

While the risk of offences over Easter increased last year, 2026 is set to see more oversight as the UK moves into an era of AI enforcement under the Government’s 2026 Road Safety Strategy.

Backed by a £115m National AI Centre initiative, ‘Precision Enforcement’ is being used to target leading causes of collisions, including distracted driving, failure to wear seatbelts, speeding, and impaired driving. 

While the technology has evolved, Tempcover’s research of 2,000 UK motorists reveals a disconnect between road safety laws and actual driver behaviour.

Over one in eight (13%) admit to either personally driving or witnessing the driver use a phone or tablet behind the wheel to text, change music, or watch videos.

Furthermore, a quarter (25%) of motorists mistakenly believe that holding a phone in their lap or below dashboard level will escape detection.

In reality, AI sensors are positioned to capture high-resolution images through the windscreen, spotting devices even when tucked out of sight of traditional patrols.

The data also shows that comfort often comes at the cost of compliance. On long car journeys, nearly one in ten (9%) admit to either loosening their seatbelt while driving or witnessing the driver do so, while 7% report their seatbelt being removed entirely by themselves or the driver.

Meanwhile, a quarter (26%) say they have abandoned a safe seated position as a passenger or have seen someone else do so – including placing feet on the dashboard,  a behaviour the new AI cameras are calibrated to detect.

The penalties for these ‘in-vehicle’ offences are severe

While a seatbelt violation carries an immediate £100 fine (rising to £500 in court), using a handheld mobile phone – even while stationary in traffic – results in a £200 fine and six penalty points. 

Claire Wills-Mckissick, temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover, said: “The emergence of AI technology marks a shift in road safety enforcement, making it more important than ever for motorists to be mindful of their habits behind the wheel, especially during mass driving moments like Easter. 

“The Easter getaway can be a test of driver endurance but our research also shows that fatigue often sets in in just over an hour.

“An effective way to stay safe and help avoid preventable fines on longer journeys is to recognise signs of exhaustion and share the load.

“Flexible options like temporary car insurance enable motorists to legally swap drivers at stops like service stations for just an hour or a day.”

Some of these elusive pieces can fetch prices far above their face value on resale platforms like eBay, where demand remains high.

Among the most sought-after are the iconic Kew Gardens 50p and a range of limited-edition alphabet 10p coins.

Mark Loveridge, director of UK currency at the Royal Mint, said: “The coinage of Queen Elizabeth II spanned 70 years and special designs issued into circulation celebrated some of the biggest events in history.

“Although the 2022 mintage figures mark the last time that Queen Elizabeth II’s   portrait will appear on new coins, over 27 billion of her coins will remain in circulation.

“Coin collecting remains a popular hobby in the UK and the coins of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign are particularly coveted. By sharing the list of rare designs we hope people will look closely at their coins – if they’re lucky they might find a piece of history.”

What makes a coin valuable?

The 50 pence piece has become the most valued and collected coin in the UK, with many collectable designs appearing on its heptagonal canvas.

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Its 27.5mm diameter makes it the largest of any British coin, and allows space for decorative pictures. It has often been used to celebrate big events over the past 50 years of British history.

The rarest coins tend to be of the greatest value, with the mintage (number of coins with each design made) being the fundamental attraction for collectors.

The rarest coins minted during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign (Image: Royal Mint/PA)

Along with the design, other aspects of the coin which increase value are the condition of the coin and whether it has an error in its design.

The way in which it is sold can also determine the coin’s value – while some coin collectors will bid vast amounts of money on eBay or at auction, others opt for more robust valuations by selling via a coin dealer.

Royal Mint rarest coins from Queen Elizabeth II’s reign

Here is a list of rare coins compiled by the Royal Mint, with information about the year of release, denomination, design features and whether or not the coin is still in circulation:

• 2019, 10p, a set of “A to Z” coins celebrating Britain. Letters Y, W and Z each had a mintage of 63,000, yes.
• 2019, 10p, also from the A to Z collection, the letter R had a mintage of 64,000, yes.
• 2019, 10p, all other letters in the A to Z collection had a mintage of 84,000, yes.
• 1992-1993, 50p, the coin celebrated the UK’s presidency of the Council of Ministers and the completion of the European single market. The design included a representation of a table with 12 stars, linked by a network of lines and the mintage was 109,000. The Mint said this was the lowest number of its 50ps issued into circulation, no.
• 2009, 50p, the design features the Kew Gardens pagoda with a decorative leafy climber twining in and around the tower, 210,000, yes.
• 2018 dated, 10p, the A to Z 10p collection celebrating Britain, each letter in this year had a mintage of 220,000, yes.
• 2015, £2, this coin paid tribute to the Royal Navy and its role during the First World War, and had a mintage of 650,000, yes.
• 2015, £2, it featured Britannia for the first time on a circulating £2 coin, with a mintage of 650,000, yes.
• 1985, 50p, the coin featured a figure of Britannia, with a shield, with a mintage of 682,103, no.
• 2002, £2, four £2 coins celebrating each home nation for the Commonwealth Games. Mintage figures for Scotland were 771,750, for Wales, 588,500, for Ireland, 485,500, and for England 650,500, yes.
• 2012, £2, the coin celebrated the closing of the 2012 Olympics and had a mintage of 845,000, yes
• 2008, £2, the coin marked the centenary of the Olympic Games, with mintage of 910,000, yes.
• 2008, £2, the coin marked the end of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, with a mintage of 918,000, yes.
• 2011, £2, the coin commemorated 400 years since the King James Bible was published, with a mintage of 975,000, yes.
• 2018, 50p, a series of coins celebrated Beatrix Potter’s classic tales, with a mintage of 1,400,000 each for the Peter Rabbit and Flopsy Bunny designs, yes.
• 2011, 50p, a series of coins celebrating the London 2012 Olympics. Mintages included 1,454,000 for tennis, 1,161,500 for judo and 1,129,500 for wrestling, yes.
• 2010-2011, £1, a series of round pound coins featuring official badges of capital cities in the UK. They had mintages of 935,000 for Edinburgh, 2,635,000 for London and 1,615,000 for Cardiff, no.
• 2008, £1,  the round pound coin featured the UK’s Royal Arms, with a mintage of 3,910,000, no.

Wantage Fire Station raised a total of £1,057 for The Fire Fighters Charity during the event, which drew strong support from the local community.

In a Facebook post, the station said: “A massive thank you to everyone who came out and supported our car wash.

“Whether it was sunshine or hail, the team powered through and kept the buckets and sponges moving.

“Thank you for your generosity and support, we could not have done it without you all – it is truly appreciated.”

People responded positively to the post, with James Goodman saying: “Thank you for all you do.”

Paul Keen said: “Well done, Wantage.”

Caroline Emanuel added: “Well done.”

The station on Ormond Road is crewed by on-call firefighters.