Latest news with #Tempcover


Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
People say 'only in the UK' after they see what ice cream truck does on M25
Drivers halted by a traffic jam on the M25 on Sunday, July 13 got lucky after an ice cream van that was also affected. People exclaimed 'only in the UK' after seeing what the ice cream man did next Drivers stuck in traffic on a motorway were pleased when an ice cream van, also caught up in the jam, decided to serve them ice cream during a heatwave on the weekend. A video on TikTok shows drivers queuing up outside the van for a cold treat. Temperatures over the weekend reached 30 degrees in some parts of the UK and on Sunday, July 12 drivers on the M25 near the Dartford Tunnel were stuck in standstill traffic for around two hours after a reported crash. However, things were made better for those sitting in the tailbacks as one of Piccadilly Whip Catering Limited's fleet was among the vehicles affected. The team has been operating its ice cream vans throughout London and south east England for more than 50 years. The TikTok page Smooth Swing Society shared a video on the platform of the drivers impacted by the traffic jam forming a queue outside the van with the caption: 'Only in the queue.' The text on the video also reads: 'Most British thing I've ever seen #M25'. The clip has gone viral with an incredible 1.7 million views, 261,100 likes and more than 1,700 comments, at the time of writing. One user said: 'The fact there is a formed queue is also amazingly British.' Another commented: 'Stand in a queue for ice cream whilst stuck in a queue on the motorway. I love the British.' Tempcover described the moment as 'iconic.' A fourth user added: 'I hope that this kind of luck finds me! 'If I'm stuck in this kind of traffic I want an ice cream van to make it better!' Someone else playfully noted: 'The ice cream van really turned lemons into lemonade.' A different user shared their thoughts: 'I mean, might as well, you get ice cream while you wait and he makes money. It's a win/win situation.' It seems the ice cream van was very popular as Smooth Swing Society revealed in the comments section of the post that one driver in the heavy congestion 'walked 20 minutes' to get an ice cream. Piccadilly Whip Catering Limited took to social media as well with a picture on Facebook of a line of drivers outside the ice cream. The post's caption reads: 'When they shut the M25 for two hours and you have a non-stop queue, sometimes you have to turn the bad times into good times.' Kent Online reported that a three-vehicle crash on the M25 stopped traffic anti-clockwise between Junction 3 for the Swanley Interchange to Junction 2 for the Darenth Interchange near Dartford at around 6.05pm on Sunday night. Kent Police said to the news outlet: 'The collision involved three vehicles. Officers and paramedics attended and a motorcyclist was taken to hospital with leg injuries. The road was temporarily closed and reopened shortly after 8pm.'


Daily Record
17-06-2025
- Daily Record
Scots beach famed for dolphin spotting named one of UK's best seaside spots for parking
The Scottish beach is being praised this summer for its beauty as well as its affordable, hassle-free parking As summer staycations begin to take shape, one Scottish beach is earning praise not just for its beauty but also for its budget-friendly and stress-free parking. Nairn Beach has been named the second-best seaside spot in the UK for parking in 2025, according to new research by temporary car insurance experts Tempcover. The beach scored an impressive 7.96 out of 10, thanks to a low average four-hour parking cost of just £1.50, an average review rating of 4.5, and a solid 301 visitor reviews. Nestled on the Moray coast just 17 miles from Inverness, the town is known as one of the sunniest and driest places in Scotland, and a favourite among families in the warmer months. An ancient fishing port and market town, Nairn has long been a magnet for visitors thanks to its spectacular coastline and welcoming atmosphere. Central Beach stretches from The Nairn Golf Club to the harbour at Fishertown, offering panoramic views over the Moray Firth towards Cromarty. On a clear night, you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing over the water. Backed by low sand dunes and a grassy promenade, Nairn Beach is ideal for picnics, paddling, and dolphin-spotting, as a resident school of dolphins often graces the waters. There's also a wide choice of coastal walks nearby, including a nature reserve at Kingsteps and a scenic viewpoint to the west. Visitors can also enjoy a visit to the local museum, which features a children's play area, making Nairn a well-rounded destination with something for everyone. Taking top spot was Barmouth Beach in Wales, while Tempcover's parking-friendly top three was St Annes in Lancashire. Spots like Camber Sands, Brighton and Bournemouth landed at the bottom of the table due to soaring parking prices. Rank Beach Location Avg. review score Avg. 4hr Parking Cost Total # of reviews Parking Score (out of 10) 1 Barmouth Beach, Wales 4.53 £3.07 437 9.69 2 Nairn Beach, Scotland 4.5 £1.50 301 7.96 3 St Annes Beach, Lancashire 4.45 £3.22 378 7.71 4 Saltburn-by-the-Sea, N. Yorks 4.42 £4.00 650 7.7 5 Southwold Beach, Suffolk 4.3 £3.00 594 7.62 6 Tenby North & South, Wales 4.16 £4.40 1140 7.5 7 Rhossili Bay, Wales 4.38 £6.50 939 7.47 8 Whitby Beach, Yorkshire 4.25 £7.00 1407 7.44 9 Lowestoft South Beach, Suffolk 4.14 £2.94 616 7.41 10 Llandudno Beach, Wales 4.04 £5.00 1444 7.4 The rankings, designed to help beachgoers plan ahead, analysed dozens of popular coastal locations across the UK based on real visitor feedback, parking costs, and review scores. 'To help beachgoers make the most of their trip to the coast, we looked into where people can enjoy stunning coastal spots and a smoother parking experience, from data that includes real-life feedback from Brits and parking fee analysis,' said Claire Wills-McKissick, a temporary car insurance expert at Tempcover. 'Whether you're a budget-conscious family or a spontaneous day-tripper, this research helps people plan ahead with greater confidence. "And for those heading further afield, temporary car insurance offers a flexible way to share the drive and make the road trip to the seaside as part of the fun.' While Barmouth Beach in Wales claimed the top spot with a score of 9.69 out of 10, Nairn's high ranking is no small feat. With around 74.5 million day visits to UK beaches recorded in 2023, finding a parking spot without the headache is more important than ever, and Nairn is showing how it can be done.


Wales Online
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
World's first 'passenger lessons' introduced to ease 'backseat driver' tension
World's first 'passenger lessons' introduced to ease 'backseat driver' tension A study of 2,000 drivers has revealed the most annoying passenger habits that lead to arguments and tension Tempcover has launched a 'Passenger Prince' online theory test (Image: PinPep ) Complaining, obstructing the mirrors and reaching for an imaginary brake are just some of the most irksome behaviours of car passengers. Other annoyances include passengers watching loud videos on their phones, resting their feet on the dashboard, and issuing unnecessary warnings about other vehicles merging into traffic. The survey of 2,000 motorists highlighted nearly half of all couples admit that their journeys often turn into heated arguments, with almost one in five resorting to giving each other the cold shoulder afterwards, thanks to bad passenger behaviour. The study indicates that a fifth of women consider their partner to be an annoying passenger, which may stem from the fact that men tend to dominate driving responsibilities in relationships. Seven in 10 men think they're a good passenger, despite women disagreeing Two thirds of men say they usually take the wheel in the relationship with almost half under the impression they are the better driver. One in five men view driving as part of their share of household duties, and dislike it when their partner drives. Article continues below Marc Pell, managing director at Tempcover, the temporary insurance provider behind the study, commented: "There's never been formal guidance on how to be a good passenger, and that can lead to real tension, especially between couples." PSM Driving School is taking a unique turn by launching the world's first lessons for car passengers. Mark commented: "We're hoping some passenger lessons will help people rethink their passenger habits and improve the in-car dynamic,". The firm's research reveals that in many relationships, men often take charge of driving; however, these novel lessons are designed to change the status quo. Mark explained: "this is a way to flip the usual driving roles - letting a partner take the wheel so they can learn to be a princely co-pilot, letting go and discovering the joy of being chauffeured." A striking 66% of women said backseat drivers were a nuisance, and the data suggests that 42% of female drivers feel increased tension due to poor passengers, with 19% becoming apprehensive about their next turn at the wheel. Paul Middleton, owner and driving instructor at PSM Driving School, said: "Poor passenger etiquette can really knock a driver's confidence - especially in relationships." He continued: "From backseat driving to constant complaints, it's often the little habits that make journeys more stressful than they need to be. Article continues below "We're excited to offer lessons from our professional driving instructors, helping people unlearn unhelpful behaviours and become passengers who support, not stress out the person behind the wheel." Top 20 annoying passenger habits:


Scottish Sun
04-06-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Top 20 most annoying passenger habits revealed including ‘complaining about driving' & ‘getting directions wrong'
Scroll down to see the full list Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) COMPLAINING, blocking the mirrors and reaching for the invisible brake are among the most frustrating passenger behaviours. A study of 2,000 drivers revealed throwing wrappers around the car and fiddling with the radio were other top 20 pet peeves when ferrying people from A to B. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A snoozing passenger is among drivers' pet hates Credit: SWNS Along with watching loud videos on their phone, popping their feet on the dashboard and shouting out warnings about cars pulling out in front to make sure they have seen them. It also emerged 17 per cent of women think their partner's an annoying passenger and 'backseat driver', despite 69 per cent of men claiming they're a good one. As a result, 43 per cent of couples admitted their car trips regularly end in arguments, with 19 per cent then not speaking for a period of time. But 62 per cent of men prefer taking the driver's seat in a relationship, with 45 per cent thinking they are a better driver than their partner, and 42 per cent saying they like to be in control. Although 32 per cent of men admit this changes when they want to have a drink and encourage their partner to be designated driver. Marc Pell, managing director for Tempcover, a temporary insurance provider which commissioned the research and is now taking bookings for the world's first Passenger lessons from PSM Driving School, said: 'There's never been formal guidance on how to be a good passenger, and that can lead to real tension, especially between couples. 'But we're hoping some passenger lessons will help people rethink their passenger habits and improve the in-car dynamic. 'Our research shows that in many relationships, men do most of the driving but this is a way to flip the usual driving roles - letting a partner take the wheel so they can learn to be a princely co-pilot, letting go and discovering the joy of being chauffeured.' Other passenger frustrations revealed by the poll included having loud phone conversations (31 per cent) and being inaccurate with directions (25 per cent). While 25 per cent also have to bite their tongue when passengers actively touch the steering wheel, or other car parts. Shock moment drunk Fiat 500 driver smashes into car and flips over during dangerous overtake on quiet residential street Of the men who prefer to be behind the wheel when going somewhere with their partner, 15 per cent don't like their partner's driving. And for 20 per cent of men, they do the driving as part of their agreed-upon couple 'chore split', according to the figures. The study also revealed that the impact of a bad passenger results in 42 per cent of women feeling on edge, while 19 per cent said it gives them anxiety about getting behind the wheel again. While two thirds (63 per cent) of women find backseat drivers patronising. Paul Middleton, owner and driving instructor at PSM Driving School, said: "Poor passenger etiquette can really knock a driver's confidence - especially in relationships. 'From backseat driving to constant complaints, it's often the little habits that make journeys more stressful than they need to be. 'We're excited to offer lessons from our professional driving instructors, helping people unlearn unhelpful behaviours and become passengers who support, not stress out the person behind the wheel.' Top 20 most annoying passenger habits revealed in new study 1. Making a mess 2. Throwing food wrappers on the floor 3. Complaining about the driving 4. Shouting out warnings to the driver 5. Putting feet on the dashboard 6. Blocking the mirrors 7. Telling the driver to go faster or slower 8. Eating crumbly, loud or smelly food without my permission 9. Screaming/ gasping if they think the driver is late braking / hasn't seen something 10. Changing the song/ radio station without asking 11. Changing the volume of the radio without asking 12. Talking on the phone loudly 13. Watching loud videos on their phone 14. Adjusting the temperature in the car without asking 15. Getting directions wrong 16. Touching steering wheel/other car parts 17. Talking about what they would have done differently 18. Stepping on the invisible brake on their side of the car 19. Opening/closing the window 20. Clutching onto their seatbelt/ seat/ handle with their eyes closed


The Sun
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Top 20 most annoying passenger habits revealed including ‘complaining about driving' & ‘getting directions wrong'
COMPLAINING, blocking the mirrors and reaching for the invisible brake are among the most frustrating passenger behaviours. A study of 2,000 drivers revealed throwing wrappers around the car and fiddling with the radio were other top 20 pet peeves when ferrying people from A to B. 2 Along with watching loud videos on their phone, popping their feet on the dashboard and shouting out warnings about cars pulling out in front to make sure they have seen them. It also emerged 17 per cent of women think their partner's an annoying passenger and 'backseat driver', despite 69 per cent of men claiming they're a good one. As a result, 43 per cent of couples admitted their car trips regularly end in arguments, with 19 per cent then not speaking for a period of time. But 62 per cent of men prefer taking the driver's seat in a relationship, with 45 per cent thinking they are a better driver than their partner, and 42 per cent saying they like to be in control. Although 32 per cent of men admit this changes when they want to have a drink and encourage their partner to be designated driver. Marc Pell, managing director for Tempcover, a temporary insurance provider which commissioned the research and is now taking bookings for the world's first Passenger lessons from PSM Driving School, said: 'There's never been formal guidance on how to be a good passenger, and that can lead to real tension, especially between couples. 'But we're hoping some passenger lessons will help people rethink their passenger habits and improve the in-car dynamic. 'Our research shows that in many relationships, men do most of the driving but this is a way to flip the usual driving roles - letting a partner take the wheel so they can learn to be a princely co-pilot, letting go and discovering the joy of being chauffeured.' Other passenger frustrations revealed by the poll included having loud phone conversations (31 per cent) and being inaccurate with directions (25 per cent). While 25 per cent also have to bite their tongue when passengers actively touch the steering wheel, or other car parts. Of the men who prefer to be behind the wheel when going somewhere with their partner, 15 per cent don't like their partner's driving. And for 20 per cent of men, they do the driving as part of their agreed-upon couple 'chore split', according to the figures. The study also revealed that the impact of a bad passenger results in 42 per cent of women feeling on edge, while 19 per cent said it gives them anxiety about getting behind the wheel again. While two thirds (63 per cent) of women find backseat drivers patronising. Paul Middleton, owner and driving instructor at PSM Driving School, said: "Poor passenger etiquette can really knock a driver's confidence - especially in relationships. 'From backseat driving to constant complaints, it's often the little habits that make journeys more stressful than they need to be. 'We're excited to offer lessons from our professional driving instructors, helping people unlearn unhelpful behaviours and become passengers who support, not stress out the person behind the wheel.' 1. Making a mess 2. Throwing food wrappers on the floor 3. Complaining about the driving 4. Shouting out warnings to the driver 5. Putting feet on the dashboard 6. Blocking the mirrors 7. Telling the driver to go faster or slower 8. Eating crumbly, loud or smelly food without my permission 9. Screaming/ gasping if they think the driver is late braking / hasn't seen something 10. Changing the song/ radio station without asking 11. Changing the volume of the radio without asking 12. Talking on the phone loudly 13. Watching loud videos on their phone 14. Adjusting the temperature in the car without asking 15. Getting directions wrong 16. Touching steering wheel/other car parts 17. Talking about what they would have done differently 18. Stepping on the invisible brake on their side of the car 19. Opening/closing the window 20. Clutching onto their seatbelt/ seat/ handle with their eyes closed 2