Cruising down an empty lane and cutting in before the closure is actually better for traffic even if you'll anger other drivers
BRITS love to queue.
And don't even get us started when somebody cuts in line.
It gets even worse when we're stuck in traffic with queue jumpers sparking widespread road rage.
But studies reveal cruising down an empty lane that's closed ahead actually speeds up traffic.
When you see a sign telling you the road ahead is closed in 800yds, you shouldn't automatically dive into the open lane.
Instead you should continue and squeeze in just ahead of the closure even though it'll earn you a torrent of abuse from other drivers.
Scientific studies have revealed early merging actually causes traffic build up by creating a long line of slow moving cars rather than using all the road available.
The same applies when dual carriageways narrow from two to one lane or motorways come down from three to two.
By contrast, late merging uses all the available road - even if it is frustrating for others - and speeds up the traffic.
The "zipper merge" technique has been found to cut congestion by 40 per cent and it reduces crashes because traffic is moving at the same speed.
It works by two lanes of flowing traffic running side by side with one car allowed to go through the available lane at a time.
It gets its name because it's just like the teeth of a zip on your coat or trousers.
The benefits are so great that some states in the US have started re-educating drivers on the method to ease hold-ups.
Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, said: "IAM RoadSmart agree that more use of zip merging would be useful in reducing congestion.
"The current Highway Code Rule 134 states 'merging in turn is recommended but only if safe and appropriate when vehicles are travelling at a very low speed, e.g. when approaching road works or a road traffic incident. It is not recommended at high speed.'
"What is needed is more use of clear ‘merge in turn’ signposting so that all drivers know what is expected of them.
"This could also now be backed up when learners are allowed onto motorways so that experience of the right way to deal with roadwork’s can be developed early."
