There's often a criticism levied at Britons that we enjoy a queue - and this might explain why so many motorists in this country don't know the correct procedure when it comes to a particular manoeuvre on a dual carriageway or motorway.
A new study has found that seven in ten UK motorists fail to follow Highway Code guidelines correctly when merging in lanes - and as a result are causing longer delays for all road users.
And the main reason for this is because we as a nation are simply too polite.
The research, carried out by car dealer network Dick Lovett, found that the majority of UK drivers don't know how to 'merge in turn' properly when there's a lane closure up ahead.
Merging in turn is a traffic flow measure that makes cars from two or more lanes merge into one, likely as a result of road works or emergency services in the road up ahead.
Signs at the side of the road will likely warn motorists they need to exit a lane that's closed up ahead and merge into the one adjacent in intervals of 100 or 200 yards - likely a mile in advance of where the lane is blocked off.
However, there is plenty of confusion about how early drivers should change lane once they see this instruction.
A poll of 500 UK drivers found that 68 per cent move out of the closing lane immediately - or as soon as possible - after seeing a lane closure warning sign for road works or an accident.
Their main reason for this is to be ‘polite’ to other drivers.
A resounding 69 per cent of those polled said this is because they believe it's rude when other drivers try to push their way to the front instead of queueing up.
What’s more, a third of drivers even said they actively try to stop other drivers from merging in turn closer to the lane closure.
Interestingly, men are more likely to do this than women (36 cent for male motorists polled versus 30 of female drivers).
However, merging in turn early is against the Highway Code's instructions.
