Industry News from Yes Insurance

An Asian travelling phenomenon has arrived in the UK, with the introduction of the famous tuk-tuk.

The three-wheeled vehicles, which get their name from the sound of their spluttering engines, have been launched in Brighton and could soon appear in other cities around the country.

Their introduction is being seen as a way to ease congestion and therefore reduce the chances of being involved in an accident and having to make a car insurance claim.

So far 12 of the vehicles have been brought into service in Brighton, with the potential of expanding the fleet to London, Bristol, Edinburgh and Birmingham.

Dominic Ponniah, executive director of TucTuc, the first company in Britain to own a fleet, was inspired during a visit to Delhi and decided that the vehicles would be an asset to the UK.

"The streets of Delhi are as congested as our roads, but instead of being blocked with bendy buses, a tuk-tuk can nip in and out of traffic," he told the Independent.

The tuk-tuks have had to undergo some minor moderations to ensure they adhere to European rules on safety and their effect on the environment.

Each vehicle can carry up to three people and travels 50 miles to the gallon.

© Adfero Ltd