Ford is testing new technology which will help drivers avoid red lights.

The system works by taking traffic light timing data from roadside units and providing motorists with a recommended speed in order to hit the next green light.

Ford says UK motorists who drive every day spend an average of two days a year at red traffic lights, so the prospect of such a system will be welcomed by many.

And for those who do get stuck at a red light, the system will be able to tell them how much time is left before the light turns green.

Ford is currently testing the new system as part of the wider UK Autodrive scheme, which is seeking to develop vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure technology with the aim of highlighting the benefits of driverless and connected vehicles in Britain.

Christian Ress, from Ford Research and Advanced Engineering said: “There’s not much worse after a long day than to hit one red light after another on the drive home, and be forced to stop and start again at every junction.

“Enabling drivers to ‘ride the green wave’ also means a smoother, continuous journey that helps to improve the flow of traffic and provide significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and fuel consumption.”

Cyclists in Copenhagen and Amsterdam already use a similar system which helps them avoid red lights.

Ford is testing a number of systems that aim to improve the daily driving experience. Next year the car giant will be testing a system that tells drivers when a vehicle is blocking a junction ahead. Another forthcoming Ford system will alert drivers to oncoming emergency services vehicles.

UK Autodrive is comprised of 16 companies and has a budget of £20m.