Nearly 70% of drivers fail to merge properly when faced with lane closures, according to new research. Merging is a traffic flow measure that causes multiple lanes to merge, with drivers taking turns merging into the new lane.
Although the Road Traffic Act requires drivers to wait until the merging point before entering a lane, their research found that most drivers (68%) tend to change lanes immediately – or as quickly as possible – to be 'polite' to other drivers. 7 in 10 drivers told driving expert Dick Lovett that they find it rude if other drivers don't immediately line up to enter their lane.
A third of drivers even said they actively try to stop other drivers from merging if they do so at the 'last minute'. Men are more likely to do this than women.
Dick Lovett's car team has shared exactly what drivers should do the next time they see a sign indicating to merge for a turn.
According to the Road Traffic Act, drivers must wait to merge at the point where the two lanes merge into one, unless it is not busy. Section 134 states: “You must follow the signs and road markings and enter the lane as indicated. In busy road conditions, you must not change lanes unnecessarily.”
“Merging in turn is recommended, but only when safe and appropriate when vehicles are travelling at very low speeds, for example when approaching roadworks or a traffic incident. It is not recommended at high speeds.”
A spokesman said: “If the 68% of drivers who changed lanes too early out of courtesy decided to use both lanes until the merge sign, this would lead to less congestion during the lane closure as traffic would flow more evenly.”
“The next time drivers find themselves in slow-moving traffic approaching a merge sign, they should try to resist the temptation to pull over too quickly out of courtesy and use all available lanes until they can no longer do so.”
“Admittedly, it's hard to beat the deep-rooted British societal expectation of queuing, but moving too early will only prolong congestion. Also try to avoid joining the third group of drivers who stop people from merging if they think they're doing it too late.”
“This could be considered dangerous driving and it is not your right to stop people who want to join the queue.”