British taxi passengers are the second chattiest in Europe, a new survey has revealed.
A Europe-wide survey by Free Now found that Brits were more sociable in the back of the car than people in Italy, Spain and Germany.
Only the Irish were found to be more conversational than British passengers, after 73 per cent of UK respondents said they enjoyed talking to their taxi drivers during journeys.
Whilst in a cab, 41 per cent said they enjoyed engaging in small talk, while a third said they preferred talking about the news and the local city.
People also liked to complain about the traffic and conditions on the road (32 per cent), while half of passengers said they enjoyed talking about their love-life with their cab driver.
The survey also found that more than half of Brits (54 per cent) preferred a chatty driver over silence, with 43 per cent saying the they appreciate the non judgmental ear of the cab driver.
While the majority enjoyed talking to their drivers, 54 per cent of those surveyed see their journeys as a time for relaxation and introspection.
Passengers often take an interest in the daily lives of drivers, the research revealed, but cabbies often prefer to talk sports, holidays, celebrity encounters and local insights.
Mohammed Ewasha, a black cab driver in London for 41 years, told the Telegraph: "The customers are the best part of the job. Meeting new, interesting and exciting people every day is the reason I have stayed in the job for such a long time."
According to research published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, engaging in conversations with strangers, including taxi drivers, can significantly enhance life satisfaction and overall well-being.
Edinburgh taxi drivers will no longer be charged by the council to use The Royal Mile on their annual outing.
The mother of a boy chased by a cabbie after being in collision with his PHV on a bicycle has told how her son required surgery for a broken arm.
A taxi firm fed up with the number of roadworks in a town centre has sent a formal complaint to the Government - branding the county council 'totally and utterly incompetent'.
Warrington BC has launched two surveys – one for the public, and one for cabbies - both drivers licensed by Warrington BC, and drivers who are licensed by other local authorities.
A taxi driver who completed deliveries for the NHS during the height of the Covid pandemic has been jailed for his role in a major heroin and cocaine ring.
Troublemaker Keane Pyzer had earlier refused to pay a taxi driver and he threatened the man with the garden spade before damaging his car.
Fiona Hyslop said the fact there are fewer black taxis had more to do with a fall in demand.
Graeme McLardy has been ordered to pay £750 compensation to the cabbie following the frightening incident in Hartshill.
He has been ordered to pay £5,500 in legal fees after an unsuccessful attempt to appeal the ban.
Sir Bill Wiggin, Conservative MP for North Herefordshire, wants to see better services for those with assistance dogs and for disability equality training for taxi drivers.