Motorists in the UK spend an average of 31 hours annually stuck in traffic jams during peak hours, according to a new study conducted by INRIX, a company that provides transportation analytics and connected car services.

The study, known as INRIX 2017 Global Traffic Scorecard analysed 1,360 cities located across 38 countries and found that the UK is the tenth most congested country in the world and the third most congested in Europe.

Last year, the direct and indirect costs of congestion to all motorists in the UK amounted to more than £37.7bn.

Globally, the US was ranked the most congested developed country where drivers spend an average of 41 hours annually a year in traffic during peak hours.

Los Angeles was found to be the most congested city in the world, followed by New York City and San Francisco.

INRIX chief economist Dr Graham Cookson said: “Combined with the rising price of motoring, the cost of congestion is astonishing – it takes billions out of the economy and impacts businesses and individuals alike.

“With the Office of National Statistics showing more cars on the road than ever before, we need to consider innovative new approaches to solving the issue.”

“With the Office of National Statistics showing more cars on the road than ever before, we need to consider innovative new approaches to solving the issue.

“Increased flexible working or road charges have potential, however, transport authorities should be looking to exciting developments in data analytics and AI, which promise to reinvent our approach to traffic management.”

In the UK, the INRIX 2017 Global Traffic Scorecard evaluated traffic congestion in 111 cities, among which London continued to remain the most congested major city in the country for the tenth consecutive year.

Motorists in London were found to lose an average of 74 hours in traffic congestion during peak hours annually, an increase of one hour from last year’s data.

Manchester, Birmingham, Luton and Edinburgh followed London in the list of the UK’s most congested cities.