Alastair Shephard

Content Writer

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

 has revealed a unique insight into the most convenient addition to our country’s fast-food joints – the drive-thru. 

So, roll down your window, prepare to shout your order, and feast on this list of the best and worst the UK has to offer. 

The list looks at two key areas a successful drive-thru performs well in. The first is speed. Drivers on long, or short, journeys want burgers, and they want them now. The second, is customer service. We want our food quickly, but a friendly and polite service is a must have. 

Reviews from drive throughs of the most populous UK cities were searched for positive key words such as ‘good service’ and ‘quick’, and negative key words such as ‘long queues’ and ‘slow’ to give us our list. 

With an incredible score of 10 out of 10, drive-thrus in Bristol and Leicester are ranked first. From Costa Coffee to KFC, Bristol and Leicester have you covered with every fast-food option you could need. McDonalds and Burger King are the highest rated in these areas. 

With a disappointing score of 0/10, Edinburgh is the worst place for drive-thrus, with KFC coming bottom of the pile when it comes to speed and service. 

So next time you’re on a junk food jolly around Blighty you’ll know which areas to avoid, and which are a safe bet. If not, you could also park up and head inside – but we'd rather go hungry. 

UK cities with the best and worst drive-thrus

We’ve scoured the internet for the best novelty car accessories you can buy online. 

Some people feel that certain cars just exude feminine energy and therefore like to empower them with fake eyelashes. You may remember that these became very popular around the early 2010s, but we think they’re due for a comeback. Full throttle or full glam? 

If you’re in the mood for scolding yourself with boiling hot water on your morning commute, why not go for an in-car Espresso Machine? Having said that, we would risk it all for our morning coffee. 

Some would say the casual car sleeper is a person at their lowest. But we disagree, the back seat bedtime is the resting place for the most resourceful of people. So why not curl up on this comfy-looking air mattress? You might need to pop your legs out the window if you’re tall. 

Cars just weren’t designed for how much fast food we need to eat in them. Whilst you’re tackling the burger, where do you put your fries? And who thought of putting three cup holders in a car that seats four? It just doesn’t work. Alone, these products don't solve the problem, but together you’re onto a winner. Just make sure to only use this whilst parked! 

If you agree with our list, the items listed above are available to purchase online now. But we suspect your money might be better spent elsewhere. 

Best novelty car accessories found online

To mark Remembrance Day, Bumper remembers those who fought so valiantly during conflict. We’re proud to share the following story of Joseph Hammond, a mechanic from Ghana who served in the armed forces during the Second World War.

Joseph Hammond, 95, was at school in Ghana when the Second World War began in 1939. Having always wanted to join the army, he signed up to be a mechanic in July 1943 and began his training. 

After his mechanical training he was posted to the Third Advanced Based Workshops in Takoradi, the western region of Ghana. Then in November 1943 along with ten others he was drafted to the war and taken to the harbour. 

They boarded the HMS Circassia with 2,500 other troops and were sent to India attached to the 3

 Gurkhas Regiment, 3rd Infantry Battalion. When the troops reached India they began training for combat in Khulna in Bangladesh. 

Joseph said, “All the troops were trained in India. You’ll be trained how to kill, no fears, so that when you go to the war you don’t fear. We trained for six months…after our training we went to Chittagong [Bangladesh]” 

The troops were made up of two divisions, the 81

. As they had been training the longest the 81

 division was sent to fight the Japanese forces first with the objective of pushing them back. The 81

 division was out for six months, and then it was time for Joseph’s division to join them. 

Joseph explains how fighting the Japanese armed forces was much worse than fighting with the German and Italian forces in Europe. “It was terrible because the Japanese were the most ferocious human fighters that I have ever seen,” he said. “If a Japanese soldier is captured in the war, as a war prisoner, he has disgraced his family. But when you die it’s an honour to your family - this was their mentality." 

When his troops reached the Irrawaddy River, they held the Japanese forces back from crossing. When the Japanese moved south, Joseph and his troops began to follow them. He remembers how at a point at the river near Ma-Ubin, the fighting was so terrible 6 men lost their lives. 

Occasionally they would become short of food for 3 or 4 days. The troops would live off biscuits and corned beef until a parachute would be dropped, replenishing their supplies and ammunition. 

In one small town, they encountered a difficult point in the fighting with snipers hiding in the trees around the river. The fighting was devastating, and many people were killed. When the battle became so intense, they asked for help from the artillery. The positions of the Japanese forces were bombarded heavily whilst the ground shook violently. 

During the conflict, Joseph realised he had been injured, with one eye protruding. Not knowing what would happen, he was flown to Pune City, India, and sent to the hospital for treatment. Specialist Lieutenant Crocket, an eye specialist, told Joseph the issue could have been contaminated blood; that he had possibly touched the blood of a wounded soldier and rubbed his eye. 

Joseph stayed in the hospital until the end of the Second World War. At the end of the conflict, he was still confined to the hospital. Other troops later told him they had been congratulated by General Slim for their efforts in the war. 

“And I feel proud today that I also defended the British Empire. We fought ferociously, we fought very well against the Japanese, we conquered them. And I’m happy that I took part in it. I Joseph Hammond, I also took part and I feel very proud I contributed a lot during the war." 

The troops arrived back home to Ghana in December 1945 and the first to bring the green battle dress back to the country. Joseph was part of 600,000 soldiers from across Africa who served with the British Forces during the second world war. 

Following the war, he pursued jobs in hospitality, construction, and fishing. He retired in 2006. He continues to live in Ghana, recently raising £500,000 for front-line workers and vulnerable veterans during the Covid-19 pandemic across Africa. 

You can watch Joseph's full interview with the British Legion 

Joseph Hammond's memories of the Second World War 

This Halloween we are celebrating some of the most iconic cars featured in movies fit for Halloween! We’ve narrowed them down to our top 5 favourites – some due to their looks and others because of their heroic nature! Take a look at the cars and their movies listed below and see if you agree: 

It would be impossible to write this list without including the wonderfully colourful Mystery Machine! It isn't completely clear what this green and blue van with orange daisies is, but it is often believed by fans to be either a Dodge A100 or a Chevy G-Body. 

Usually driven by the character Fred Jones, this famous ‘van’ features in the Scooby-Doo TV series since 1969 and then later in two movies. The Mystery Machine earns its place in our Halloween list not only because of our fond memories of the Scooby-Doo franchise but also because in one early episode it comes to life and goes rogue! 

4. Cadillac Series 62 - Nightmare on Elm Street 

Featured in this beloved classic of the horror genre, this beautiful red 1958 Cadillac Series 62 really is a car to die for.

Well, perhaps not. Belonging to Glen, the boyfriend of the leading character Nancy, this car plays a vital role at the end of the film when all appears calm again and Freddy Krueger has evaporated. On an innocent journey to school, the car becomes possessed by Freddy and the green and red striped top of the car suddenly comes down and locks them in before driving uncontrollably down the street with Marge dragged in through the window! 

Ok, so this isn't really a Halloween movie, but this magical car from the wonderful world of wizardry surely deserves its place on the list. Originally a standard Ford Anglia until bewitched under the ownership of Arthur Weasley and used to fly (not drive!) his family around. 

The car becomes a star of its own right in the second Harry Potter film of the series, The Chamber of Secrets when it is stolen by Arthur’s son Ron along with Harry and used to take them to school. 

The car becomes entangled in and then engulfed by the famous Whomping Willow on the grounds of Hogwarts School. It features again later in the film when it comes to the rescue of Harry, Ron and Fang the dog from the vicious Aragog’s family.

Appearing in all four films from 1984 to 2021 as well as the animated television series and video games, we think it’s fair to say that everyone recognises this car! 

The Ectomobile, AKA the Ecto-1 is based on a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Sentinel. This fictional vehicle was originally designed by Steven Dane who is quite rightly, listed in the credits as Hardware Consultant. 

Featuring several gadgets as well as its ‘proton cannon’ mounted on top, this car is responsible for transporting the Ghost Busters and their ghost-busting equipment on their missions around New York City. 

Due to its popularity, a miniature replica of this car has been mass-produced and sold as toys all over the world. 

Taking our number 1 spot in the list is this hero of all hero cars. The Batmobile! A heavily customised armoured tactical assault car relied upon for its speed during a pursuit, it's fair to say that Batman would not be Batman without this car.

First appearing in the comic series in May 1939 as a red car, it has featured the iconic bat motif and has had many customisations and facelifts throughout the years reflecting the evolution of technology. The several iterations from the comic books and TV series to the films and video games have kept the car current and incredibly popular. 

The Batmobile as we know it now is a sporty and mean-looking black car that can also self-drive.

In the mood for a scare? Check out our list of 

Our top 5 cars from scary movies 

With spooky season-season fast-approaching, we’ve put together this handy guide to the most haunted roads in Britain. To help you plan that Halloween getaway route (if there is such a thing), we’ve given each entry on this list a rating on the spook-o-meter. So without further-a-ghoul let's get into it. 

One of the oldest roads in the country, this route was built over 2,000 years ago by the Ancient Romans. And it seems they were rather keen on the 230-mile route from Birmingham to Carlisle, as they decided to stick around. It has been reported by many drivers that ghostly Roman soldiers have been marching across the road in the dead of night. 

It's good to have pride in your work. We've awarded this with a 3/10 on the spook-o-meter. We're pretty sure we can handle a few revenant Romans. 

The A229 (spine-chilling Suffolk to creepy Kent) 

Our next road on the list is, according to some sources, the most haunted road in England. That’s right it’s the A229 from Suffolk to Kent. Legend has it that along this road the ghost of a hitchhiker will ask you for a ride. Once on board, he’ll take his seat on the passenger side and start to tell you his stories, but then he will completely vanish in an instant! 

But that’s not the only reason to avoid the A229. It's also believed to be haunted by the ghost of a bride who tragically died on her wedding day. She's said to have walked the road ever since. 

A definite 6/10 on the spook-o-meter. We'll look for an alternative route on our next trip to Kent. 

The final entry on our list is without a doubt our scariest. During construction of the Stocksbridge Bypass linking Sheffield to Manchester, night-time security guards reported seeing several children laughing and singing in the dead of night. Construction workers on the bypass also spoke of children dressed in ‘old fashioned clothes’ dancing in the road. 

Also, during construction, guards saw a cloaked figure that later vanished. Soon after, presumably traumatised by the events, one of the guards quit their position. Investigating officers on the scene claimed their car began to shake whilst an unknown figure had its torso pressed up against the window. 

Over the years, reports have also been made of children playing by the pylons and some other drivers have even said they’ve had to swerve to avoid bodies in the middle of the road. 

Very spooky indeed. We're giving this one an 8/10 on the spook-o-meter and will definitely be giving this one a by-pass. 

Looking for more spooky content? Take a look at our list of 

Scariest places to break down UK 

Having been a truck mechanic during the Second World War and often pictured driving Land Rovers around her Balmoral estate, it was no secret the Queen was a confident driver. 

Driving since she was 19, the Monarch was never required to have a driving licence, therefore she didn’t have to take a test or, if she wanted to, comply with the speed limit. 

With so many miles under her belt, it’s no surprise there are a few stories to have come out from the Monarch’s time behind the wheel. We’ve compiled a list of our favourite of Her Majesty’s motoring moments. 

The time she took an F1 legend for a spin 

Sometime after F1 legend, Sir Jackie Stewart won the 1973 championship, he was heading to a barbeque from Sandringham, an event that the Queen would also be attending. The pair were good friends and had met on several occasions; the Monarch even ended up attending his 80

As this was Stewart’s first time attending a royal barbeque he politely offered the queen a lift. To which she replied, ‘Absolutely not, I’ll drive, but you can navigate if you like’. 

Speaking later in a Sky Sports interview, Sir Jackie Stewart recalled how ‘she was a wonderful driver, a smooth, smooth driver’ and how ‘everything was done the right way, the indicators went up at the right time’. 

The time she gave the Saudi Prince a scare 

In 1998, when the Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia visited Balmoral Castle, women in his country were banned from driving, so when invited for a tour of the 50,000-acre estate he was surprised to see Her Majesty jump beside him into the driver’s seat. 

Having been taken for a spin around the mountainous roads of the Scottish Highlands the Prince pleaded for her to slow down. Years later the Prince spoke to British diplomat Sir Cowper-Coles about his nervousness. Albeit said with a large grin. 

The time her Range Rover was stuck in the mud 

After the Queen’s death, many stories of Her Majesty’s encounters began to surface. One surprising story came from a man remembering his meeting with the queen when he was a teenager in 1994. 

On holiday with his family during Easter, whilst walking in the countryside, the family came across a large Range Rover stuck in the mud. When the driver wound down the window the family were extremely surprised to see the Queen sitting behind the wheel. 

Shaking her car phone at the group, the Queen said, ‘I have no connection. Can one give one a push?’ 

Reminiscing on the day years later, the man said, ‘All I remember was this tiny woman behind this enormous car. When she wound the window down to reveal her face, I thought “Oh my god”. We gave her a push and helped her out of the mud and then she drove away without saying thank you. It was quite amazing. The most surprising thing was she was on her own!” 

‘Can one give one a push?’: 3 times the Queen surprised us behind the wheel

The AA has recently commented on common speed camera myths, urging drivers to slow down and pay attention to the limits. 

It’s believed by some road users that changing lanes can help drivers avoid detection by speed cameras. Whilst this was true at one time, modern speed cameras have multiple setups allowing all lanes to be covered. 

More often than not, there will be white markings across all lanes near speed cameras, allowing for a secondary check that shows how far the vehicle has travelled between two points. 

Cameras must be visible for drivers to be prosecuted 

Despite the Department for Transportation declaring that all cameras are required to be painted yellow, it is not true that they must be perfectly visible for motorists to receive a fine. 

So trying to contest your fine due to the camera being covered by an overgrown tree, isn’t going to work. 

First introduced in 1991, the first type of speed camera, the Gatso, was named after Dutch rally-driving inventor, Maurice Gatsonides. Still in use today, these cameras record how fast a vehicle travels between two points by capturing two images. 

Another type is the average speed camera, which works by capturing the speed of a vehicle at various points along a road, meaning drivers cannot just slow down on their approach. 

There's no limit for how many cameras can be involved in the average speed camera check and some have a network of up to 1,000 cameras. 

The final type is the Speed and Traffic Camera, which uses radar to see how fast a vehicle is going. A digital image is produced, showing the colour, type, make, model and registration number of the vehicle. 

The registered owner is sent a Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) within two weeks of being caught. Fines issued are a minimum of £100, with 3 points on your licence. However, these can be escalated depending on how far over the limit you were driving. 

Yes, speed cameras absolutely work. The London School of Economics estimated that between 1992-2016, speed cameras reduced deaths around 60 – 70%. The advice from the AA remains drivers shouldn’t look to avoid detection from cameras and should follow all speed limits and laws of the roads. 

Help to keep our roads safer by slowing down. Plus, you might save yourself some money! 

Make car repairs more affordable and spread the cost of your next bill into interest-free monthly payments. To apply for a Credit Limit and see local dependable garages and dealerships in your area, enter your vehicle and registration on 

Debunked: Common speed camera myths 

When it comes to cars, consumers have (almost) always been more enthusiastic about the unusual and exciting than simple, 

Today, all the buzz is around electric cars. Spearheaded by Tesla, they’ve become the hottest item in automotive. But as novel as EVs are, there’s more to them than how to charge the battery and how good they are for the environment. 

Ready to up your EV knowledge? Here are 21 of the best facts about electric cars to impress fellow enthusiasts. 

1. It's illegal for electric cars to be silent 

Until recently, one of the most unique things about driving an 

 was the peace and lack of noise. They hummed quietly, barely emitting a peep. 

However, In 2019, the EU mandated that all new electric and hybrid cars emit artificial noise so pedestrians and cyclists can hear them. The EV noise becomes audible at speeds of 13 mph and above. In most cases, though, the interior of an electric car remains quiet and peaceful. 

2. There are more EV charging points than petrol stations 

In April 2020, the number of public charging points for EVs exceeded the number of petrol stations in the UK. According to EDF Energy, there are more than 42,000 EV charging sites across the UK versus roughly 8,300 petrol stations, a figure that has grown smaller since. 

Electric cars use ‘regenerative’ braking, which allows them to recover energy when the vehicle slows down and sends it back into the battery. That instantly boosts EVs' energy efficiency, dramatically reducing wear and tear on mechanical braking systems and 

educing the need for new brakes, pads, and callipers over time. 

4. More and more petrol stations are setting up EV chargers 

With the explosion of interest in EVs, traditional fuel retailers have got in on the act. Brands like BP, Shell, MFG and Euro Garages all offer electric car charging stations for EV drivers, many of them located as prominently on the forecourt as the petrol and diesel pumps. No back-alley charging here! 

5. Nissan’s LEAF is Britain's most popular EV 

Since its launch in 2010, more than 400,000 

 have been sold. That makes it the most popular electric car on the planet, not just in Blighty. 

Now in its second iteration, the all-electric EV continues to be popular, and Nissan says the car has racked up over 10 billion kilometres of road time. 

 The LEAF is made in Britain for the UK and European markets. 

Always the innovator, Tesla has implemented a ‘Dog Mode’ so drivers can leave their pets in the car and be sure the interior stays cool for any pets inside. The vehicle even displays a prominent message on the centre touchscreen panel to let passers-by know that the pet is cool and safe, no matter the outside temperature. 

Have you seen green number plates recently? EVs now have their own funky trademark. If the vehicle is a pure electric model with zero CO2 tailpipe emissions, it’s eligible for a green licence plate. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids aren’t allowed these special plates, though. The vehicle must be 100% electric.

You can turn your EV into an enormous generator on wheels with the right equipment. It’s possible now to take the unused electricity in an EV battery to supply power to your home and minimise the draw on the power grid. Nissan’s LEAF comes with a LEAF-to-Home appliance that lets you use its 

 to power things like an outdoor dinner party or even a Christmas tree. 

Prince Charles recently acquired an electric Jaguar SUV, preferring the storied British nameplate over the comparable Tesla model. HRH has also reportedly installed a fast charger at his Clarence House home. 

He’s not the only member of the (extended) royal family interested in EVs. When Prince Harry married Meghan Markle in 2018, the couple arrived at the ceremony in a Jaguar E-Zero. 

10. A new electric car is registered every nine minutes in the UK 

Sales of electric vehicles in the UK have grown for eight years in a row. ONS data shows there are now 1.3 million EVs registered in the UK, with a new one being sold every nine minutes. Talk about being popular! 

11. The first EVs were created in the 1800s

That’s right! The electric vehicle isn’t as you might expect. The first electric motor is credited to Anyos Jedlik, a Hungarian engineer, in 1928. However, Scottish engineer Robert Anderson also fitted a full-size carriage with an electric motor in 1932. So, there are a few disputes about who created the electric car and when. 

12. General Motors’ EV1 cost over a billion dollars 

Produced from 1996 to 1999, EV1 by General Motors cost over one billion dollars (approx £792,230,000.00). Though it was the first purpose-designed electric car, General Motors considered it a dud. Consequently, the brand crushed all but 1,000 of the created models. 

13. 1 in every 4 UK households will switch to electric in the next five years

 that 1 in every 4 UK households intend to switch to an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid in the next five years. Their actual statistics show that 6.5 million homes are considering the switch, equating to 24% of energy households. 

14. Only 1 in every 10 electric vehicle drivers buys the car outright

 90% of EV drivers opt for car financing rather than buying the vehicle outright. A 

of 2,000 UK-based drivers showed that 47% thought electric cars were too expensive. 

15. The five best EVs can drive from Leeds to London on one charge 

The top five EVs can travel anywhere from 100 to 200 miles on one charge (enough to take you from

 to London). However, the Tesla Model 3 has smashed this distance and can drive up to 300 miles before needing a charge. Road trip, anyone? 

16. Electric cars can accelerate faster than ICE vehicles

Thanks to instant torque (strong acceleration from a stationary position), electric vehicles can accelerate much faster than internal combustion engines (ICE). Some of the fastest electric cars can even reach 0-60 mph in less than three seconds — as fast as some major roller coasters! 

17. EVs could have wireless charging in the future

Like wireless mobile phone charging pads, electric cars have the potential to be charged by a similar mechanism. This gives engineers lots of space for innovation. From built-in road charging panels to chargers in parking spots and drive-through takeaways, this technology might revolutionise how we travel. 

As part of a drive green initiative in 2016, the 

. These lanes prioritised electric and plug-in vehicles at traffic lights, allowing a smoother driving experience. Think bus lanes, but for electric cars! 

There’s no plan to completely roll this plan out nationwide yet. But keep your eyes peeled! 

19. Electric vehicle battery costs are falling

The battery is the most expensive part of an electric car, which is why EV vehicles cost more than their non-renewable counterparts. 

However, as more people switch, battery costs are expected to drop as economies of scale kick in. The more batteries are produced, the price per battery goes down, as does the cost per EV. Nice! 

20. Breathable batteries could give up to 500 miles on a single charge

Many drivers are unsure about EVs due to their limited distance per charge. However, up-and-coming 

 could change the game. These batteries have the potential to allow up to 500 miles per charge but are in the early stages of development. Hopefully, we’ll see these on the market sometime soon! 

Electric vehicles are all about effective transportation. For example, an electric car uses approximately 80% of its battery engine’s energy to transmit electricity to the car. Petrol-powered cars only use 14 to 26% of energy, making EVS a much more efficient option. 

Fun facts about electric cars - Looking to the future

Electric vehicles are an exciting innovation that’s going nowhere anytime soon. Hopefully, these 21 good facts about electric cars have helped you impress your friends and show them the possibilities of green technology. 

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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.

 21 Facts About Electric Cars You Probably Didn’t Know

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