Alastair Shephard

Content Writer

Alastair Shephard | Author

New government figures have revealed the areas in the UK with the highest number of road traffic casualties, with Kent, Surrey, and Birmingham topping the list. Despite a slight drop in total incidents in 2024, the number of people killed on British roads rose, prompting calls for urgent action.

Provisional estimates from the Department for Transport show that 128,375 people were injured in road traffic collisions last year, including 1,633 fatalities, a 1% increase from 2023. Worryingly, motorcyclist deaths rose by 9%, while pedestrian fatalities increased by 2%.

The figures clearly show that while overall collisions may be declining, the severity of incidents is not. Fatalities are rising among vulnerable groups like motorcyclists and pedestrians, and that should be a wake-up call for national and local policymakers.

Kent, Surrey and Birmingham have consistently high numbers of casualties, and this year’s data only reinforces the need for targeted interventions in these hotspots. These aren’t just numbers – each one represents a life impacted by road trauma.

Young drivers aged 17 to 29 remain significantly overrepresented in road casualties, while older drivers account for a disproportionate share of fatalities. Road safety campaigns must do more to address these specific demographics with education and technology.

We support tougher penalties for high-risk behaviours like drug driving and not wearing a seatbelt. But beyond punishment, we also need better infrastructure, improved driver training, and smarter in-car safety systems – especially for those just starting out behind the wheel.

According to the data, the top 10 local authorities with the most casualties were:

While the Department for Transport has committed to releasing a new Road Safety Strategy, experts stress the need for swift and bold action.

Map Reveals the UK's Worst Areas for Road Incidents

Bumper has successfully completed its Series B extension round, raising an additional £8 million in equity funding. This marks the second extension to its Series B round, bringing the total investment to £20 million.

The round attracted the continued support from leading automotive and mobility investors, including Autotech Ventures, Suzuki Global Ventures, Porsche Ventures, JLR’s InMotion Ventures and Shell Ventures.

The completion of this latest funding round coincides with Bumper marking its tenth anniversary with a refreshed corporate brand identity and the launch of an all-new website with greater functionality for both dealer partners and car owners.

Bumper will use the new funding to launch the Bumper Pro platform and AutoBI services across the UK and Europe and support strategic hiring to scale the company’s operations.

Bumper Pro enables automotive retailers to use Bumper’s direct payment solutions to reduce card transaction fees and automate back-office workflows. AutoBI, a business acquired by Bumper last year, provides real-time business intelligence tools for car retailers and OEMs.

James Jackson, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bumper, said: “This investment is a strong vote of confidence from existing investors in our ambitious growth trajectory, long-term vision and our amazing team.

“We are now operationally profitable and on track to surpass £1 billion in gross merchandise value (GMV) in 2025, representing a tripling of our GMV year-on-year. This momentum is driven by our expanding suite of services that deliver quantifiable value to automotive retailers and OEMs.

“Ten years ago, Bumper launched as a provider of interest-free repair financing for car owners. Today, it has evolved into a comprehensive digital payments and software as a service (SaaS) platform for the automotive retailing sector, with products designed to streamline dealer operations, reduce costs and enhance customer experiences.”

Tony Rimas, Venture Partner of Autotech Ventures, said: “We first invested in Bumper in 2021, attracted by its industry-leading buy now, pay later (BNPL) product and penetration in the UK dealer sector. Since then, we have been impressed by its remarkable revenue growth in the UK and across Europe, its expanded portfolio of payment solutions and the team’s ability to execute on its ambitious plans.

“We’re delighted to support the next phase of Bumper’s growth and are particularly excited by the opportunities presented by its acquisition of AutoBI and Cocoon Payments and the rollout of the game-changing Bumper Pro platform.” 

Kaihei Takagi, Director of Suzuki Global Ventures said: "We are very excited to continue supporting Bumper’s growth, following our initial investment, in this Series B extension. As a result of Bumper’s proactive M&A growth strategy, we have been able to engage in broader strategic discussions beyond just Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), including areas of potential collaboration with Suzuki Motor Corporation. 

“We look forward to deepening these strategic conversations and supporting Bumper’s continued expansion across Europe, Japan and other regions."

Bumper raises £8 million in Series B extension to accelerate expansion and product rollout

Bumper has acquired Cocoon Payments, the UK-based business providing a digital payments platform to the car retailing sector.

Cocoon was launched in 2021 and its services are currently used by over 20% of the UK’s top 100 franchised dealer groups. 

The management team and staff have all transferred to Bumper as part of the acquisition.

The acquisition follows Bumper’s November 2024 purchase of AutoBI, the specialist provider of business intelligence tools for car retailers and OEMs.

Cocoon has rapidly gained traction by helping dealers reduce costs and streamline payment operations across sales, servicing and parts. 

Its platform supports all major payment types, including credit and debit cards, via in-store terminals or remote pay-by-link, Pay by Bank App and its unique Automated Bank Transfer feature used for handling large balance payments at significantly lower transaction fees than cards.

Cocoon also integrates with several leading Dealer Management Systems, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing administrative time. Additionally, dealers use the platform to pay customers directly for vehicle purchases and part-exchange settlements.

“Cocoon has come a long way since launching just four years ago due to the value it provides dealers across sales and aftersales. It has also grown its customer base at a rapid speed, adding a new dealer group every couple of weeks,” said James Jackson, CEO of Bumper.

“What impressed us about the business was the tech behind its platform and the way it is achieving considerable savings for dealers, especially with its Pay By Bank service, which eliminates the charges retailers pay on credit and debit card transactions and aligns perfectly with Bumper’s proposition.

“We’re delighted to welcome Cocoon’s talented team and customers to Bumper. By homogenising our platforms, this acquisition will accelerate our growth as the leading digital payment solution for car dealers in the UK and across Europe,” said Jackson.

Commenting on the acquisition Sam Meekins, Cocoon Co-Founder, said: “Cocoon was built to give our customers faster settlements, lower costs and a better customer payment experience. 

“We’ve focused on solving real problems in automotive payments – like simplifying pay-by-link, automating bank transfers and integrating with dealer systems. Joining Bumper means we can bring these tools and the benefits they deliver to more dealers, faster.”

Bumper acquires Cocoon Payments to rapidly grow its digital sales and aftersales payment services for dealers

Bumper adquiere Cocoon Payments para reforzar su liderazgo en soluciones de pago digital en el sector de la automoción

Bumper übernimmt Cocoon Payments, um seine digitalen Zahlungsdienste für Verkauf und After-Sales im Autohausbereich schnell auszubauen.

With sun glare becoming a bigger issue on UK roads as summer approaches, drivers are being urged to carry one simple item in their glovebox that could help them avoid hefty fines, penalty points, and potentially dangerous driving conditions.

Experts are now warning that sudden, intense sunlight can reduce visibility behind the wheel, making it crucial for motorists to be prepared. Their advice? Always keep a spare pair of legal sunglasses in your car.

Sun glare can appear suddenly and completely obscure your vision, especially during early morning or late afternoon driving. Having a spare pair of sunglasses within easy reach could be the difference between driving safely or committing a serious offence.

Although it's not a legal requirement to wear sunglasses while driving, the Highway Code Rule 237 states that drivers must slow down or stop altogether if they are “dazzled by bright sunlight.” Failing to do so could be seen as driving without due care and attention, which carries a £100 on-the-spot fine and three penalty points.

In more serious incidents, police can escalate the offence to dangerous driving, where fines can reach £5,000, along with higher penalty points or a potential driving ban.

Being dazzled by the sun and continuing to drive without slowing down could be seen as reckless. You don’t need to be in a crash for it to be a legal issue — the risk alone can result in a penalty.

However, not all sunglasses are road-safe. Dark-tinted 'category four' lenses, fashion frames with small lenses, or glasses with oversized side arms may obstruct vision or peripheral awareness, and wearing these while driving could also lead to prosecution.

Drivers need to be aware that some sunglasses are actually unsafe for road use. Stick to category two or three lenses, which reduce glare while maintaining clear visibility.

Motorists who already wear prescription lenses are advised to consider prescription sunglasses or anti-glare coatings, especially for vehicles without built-in tinting or sun visors.

Drivers urged to keep this ‘essential’ item in glovebox to avoid summer fines and points

As the weather gets warmer, the number of drivers on the road increases, but so do the number of wasp colonies which may leave you with an unwelcome passenger in your car.

While it may seem unlikely to happen, wasp numbers are significantly higher in the summer months. During this time, wasps pose an additional hazard to drivers, who may become distracted by the flying insects entering their car whilst they are driving, especially when travelling on high-speed roads and motorways.

If you fear bugs, flies, and other insects, the sudden appearance of one inside your car might be startling and could cause erratic driving behaviour.

Driving whilst distracted by a wasp or any other insect could lead to up to 9 penalty points and a £2,500 fine for careless driving in extreme circumstances. In some cases, if it results in someone getting hurt, the punishments could be even more severe.

Even to people who don’t mind wasps, the sudden appearance of one could be quite alarming. When in the enclosed space of a car, it's understandable that they could prove to be a distraction to the driver.

Nevertheless, it's crucial that we stay as calm as possible and don’t let wasps or other insects distract us from driving safely.

Experts advise maintaining a clean and tidy car, free from food and drink containers, as these usually attract insects.

If you encounter a wasp flying around your vehicle whilst driving, remember to remain calm. The calmer you are, the less likely the wasp is to sting you. Be sure to wind down your windows to give the wasp an opportunity to escape. Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

Drivers warned to stay calm over deadly insect or risk fine of £2,500

With millions of motorists preparing for summer holidays and long-distance travel, experts are warning drivers to pay close attention to their dashboard warning lights — particularly one that could signal serious engine damage if ignored.

Experts are urging drivers to take immediate action if they see a red oil can icon appear on their dashboard, warning that it could mean the engine is not being properly lubricated and may be at risk of catastrophic failure.

When the oil warning light comes on, the best thing you can do is stop driving straight away.

Without proper lubrication, the engine components can grind together, leading to extreme wear — or even complete engine failure. Continuing to drive in this state could result in a costly repair bill.

Drivers are advised to turn off the engine, check underneath the car for any signs of an oil leak, and inspect the oil level using the dipstick. 

In some cases, the issue can be resolved by simply topping up the oil. However, if the warning light remains on after this, it’s essential to call for breakdown assistance and avoid restarting the engine.

Another critical symbol to watch out for is the red battery light — usually a rectangle with plus and minus symbols inside — which can indicate problems with the car’s charging system, including a faulty battery or alternator.

Even if the vehicle seems to be running fine, a battery warning light means it could stop working at any moment.

Once the battery dies, you’re going nowhere. It’s always better to get it checked before it leaves you stranded.

Brake system alerts are also not to be ignored. A red circle with an exclamation mark may signify a handbrake left on — but it can also warn of low brake fluid or mechanical failure in the braking system.

If the light doesn’t go out after you’ve disengaged the handbrake, it could mean there’s a serious fault with your brakes. In that case, you must see a professional as soon as possible. Driving without fully functioning brakes puts everyone at risk.

One of the most misunderstood warning lights is the amber engine management light — which can sometimes be mistaken for less urgent alerts. However, the colour and behaviour of the light make all the difference.

If the engine warning light is amber and steady, it’s usually safe to keep driving for now — but you should book a check-up as soon as you can. If the light is flashing, though, it suggests a more serious issue like a misfire, and you’ll need to drive cautiously straight to a garage.

Know your warning lights before it’s too late

With modern vehicles relying heavily on digital sensors and warning systems, dashboard lights are often the first sign that something’s wrong. Ignoring them could lead to breakdowns, costly repairs — or worse, a dangerous situation on the road.

Warning lights aren’t there to be ignored. They’re an early alert system designed to protect both your car and your safety. If you’re unsure, always err on the side of caution and speak to a qualified mechanic.

Drivers urged to ‘see a professional immediately’ if this dashboard warning light appears

Bumper has launched a new open banking integration with Pinewood.AI, enabling car retailers to process Pay by Bank and Pay by Card services directly from their dealer management systems (DMS).

The integration is already live across 200 UK dealerships with a pipeline of sites to follow. 

The integration works by retailers sending payment requests to customers by email or SMS, with a link for them to pay directly from their bank accounts. In addition to the ease of use, open banking provides enhanced security and protection against fraud for both retailers and customers.

It also facilitates Bumper’s Pay by Card service using credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. 

Dealers can benefit from lower transaction fees, faster payments and reduced administration time. 

The integration provides intelligent routing of payments to maximise savings and remove friction, only displaying payment methods relevant to the customer based on pre-set thresholds. 

The move sees Bumper becoming Pinewood.AI’s sole provider of open banking services in the UK. The two tech companies have a long-standing partnership with Bumper’s PayLater service offered through Pinewood.AI’s vehicle health check tool.

“This major integration expands our relationship with Pinewood.AI and is already delivering significantly lower costs per transaction for dealers, compared to traditional card payments,” said Daniel Christie, Bumper’s Head of Sales.

“By integrating with existing dealership ecosystems, it brings together all our payment options in a more efficient way for retailers using the Pinewood Automotive Intelligence Platform, enabling them to offer customers more choice when paying their bills,” he said.

Commenting on the rollout Kim Costello, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Pinewood.AI said: “We’re delighted with this latest integration with Bumper, following the completion of a successful pilot at the beginning of the year.

“Offering Bumper’s Pay by Bank directly on Pinewood.AI will help streamline retailer processes by avoiding the need for them to work across different systems.

“The integration is already delivering the convenience of an open banking option for car owners, while helping our retailer clients cut administration time and reduce transaction costs.”

Pinewood.AI has confirmed it is currently working on its next integration with Bumper: PayPad. This powerful solution will enable dealers partnered with Pinewood.AI a unified payment experience, enabling them to process every type of transaction through Bumper, including in-store PoS payments, remote card transactions, secure bank-to-bank transfers and flexible Buy Now, Pay Later options.

Bumper expands Pinewood.AI partnership with Pay by Bank and Pay by Card

Research by Bumper has identified a disconnect between dealers actively futureproofing their aftersales operations to handle EVs and hybrids and customers planning to own them.

While an overwhelming majority of dealership workshops (92%) describe themselves as being “prepared” or “very prepared” for EVs and hybrids, just 15% of customers currently own one and only 13% plan to purchase one in the next three years.

The findings come from Bumper’s newly published 

, which polled the views of 4,269 car owners and 520 service advisors to identify the operational challenges faced by service departments and consumer pain points. 

“As legislative pressure grows on carmakers to sell higher proportions of new EVs, our study shows how dealers have moved to invest in their workshop operations by tooling up and training for EVs and hybrids,” said Daniel Christie, Bumper’s Head of Sales.

“However, there is a disconnect between what dealers now have in place and the EV ownership and buying intent of their customers,” he said.

Most service advisors (40%) believe EVs will represent the biggest trend shaping aftersales over the next five years, followed by the economic landscape (12%) and technological advancements (11%).

Despite the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) across many sectors, only 19% of service departments plan to adopt AI tools for diagnostics, scheduling or customer services in the next 12 months.

“The aftersales market is at a pivotal moment, where the adoption of innovative tools, preparation for EVs and a focus on affordability will determine future success,” said Christie.

“While advances like interest-free finance and digital tools have proven transformative, dealerships must invest in training, staffing and infrastructure to meet evolving customer needs.

“The research also identified how emerging trends such as AI, mobile servicing and self-check-ins offer opportunities for growth, but their adoption remains tentative. The sector’s ability to adapt to these technological and market shifts will be crucial for long-term competitiveness and customer satisfaction,” he said.

Bumper's Automotive Aftersales Report 2024/25

Bumper study identifies “disconnect” between dealers’ readiness for EV aftersales and customers’ plans to go electric 

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