Why are UK drivers advised not to signal if they think it is unneccessary?

I've been driving cars, motorbikes and bicycles since 1967.
I was taught to always signal before changing direction.
I'm appalled at the current lack of signalling by UK drivers. I cycle to work and when negotiating roundabouts must take my life in my hands because most cars make no signals when leaving the roundabout.
It's all very well to say; if there are no cars following don't signal but what about pedestrians, people pulling out of their drives, cyclists etc?
Additional Details
Thanks for all your answers.
Yes, I use hand signals when I'm cycling and often wonder at the incongruosness of it in these days of lack of signals by many road users!

My wife learnt to drive about 10 years ago and was warned by her instructor that she must not signal uneccessarily during her test.
The thing is the driver cannot be sure that there is not someone who needs that signal. What about pedestrians trying to cross an exit from a roundabout for instance?
It seems to me that we have a 'give someone an inch and they'll take a mile' situation: because drivers have been told that they don't always have to signal they never signal!

Incidentally, I try to stop at amber traffic signals when cycling but am frequently scared in case the car behind me decides that he doesn't need to stop!

Twisted_Ace

I would have to disagree with the ADI's who have answered here.

It is down to semantics. I trained as an ADI, but very quickly let my licence lapse, as I strongly disagreed with may of the teaching methods I was expected to use.

One of these was the concept that, "You should only signal if it is necessary to do so". This isn't the same as being told NOT to signal.

Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, many people take the "...necessary to do so..." part too far, and deem signalling unnecessary most of the time. After all, they can decide when it is necessary to signal, because that is what they have been taught, isn't it?

I agree with the questioner - I was taught to signal whenever you make a manoeuvre, regardless of whether it is necessary or not. Just to err on the side of safety...

EvelynThe ModifiedDog.

A signal is to 'warn or inform' other road users of your presence or intention'. If you're paying attention, and look, you will know if there are any other road users about, and can then decide whether or not a signal is necessary. The key word here is LOOK!

In towns I'd say a signal is pretty much always necessary when turning a corner, but for every driver who doesn't bother their @rse doing that, there's another who signals right to join a motorway or dual carriageway from a slip road.
"HELLO", where else can you go from there?

Groid

I agree - it really bugs me when I'm in a car with someone and they dont indicate. I always do it out of habit and its not too hard to move the indicator stick up or down. Just comes naturally to me - even when I'm on a deserted road. I'm with you on this one !

The Drunken Fool

i dont understand why anyone would be told that. it isnt just the cars following that need to know where you are going.

shebs

The modern world my friend!

To put things in perspective, when I drive in the UK, I find it a dream compared to driving in my local area (around Melbourne, Australia). It is all a matter of perspective I suppose.

You are right though, the old courtesies are being allowed to die out and this does allow poor behaviour to come in to the point where it eventually becomes the norm.

Dave J

Who told you that "UK drivers are advised not to signal if they think it is unnecessary"??

I wasn't taught that in my driving lessons, and I don't teach that to my pupils!

The only time i DO say they don't have to signal, is when moving off or stopping and there is NO ONE around to benefit from it, whether it be cars, bikes, cyclists or pedestrians.

Now I DO agree with you that it is EXTREMELY annoying that people do not signal when they should do, particularly when you are trying to teach someone to drive.

However, no one ADVISES them not to signal - they just don't do it out of laziness, and ignorance.

Trevor h

In answer to your question, drivers are NOT taught not to signal.

They are taught to signal at EVERY junction, EVERY roundabout - and at other times only if there is someone to benefit. Signals are used for the benefit of other road users - if there aren't any around then don't signal (other than at junctions and roundabouts).

Surely they are breaking the Highway Code if not the law by not signalling?

dadseimaj

The instruction can easily be misunderstood.

Think about the purpose of the signal: it is to inform other road users of your intentions. If there is no road user who would benefit from your signal then it is pointless signalling.

Here's the rub: Drivers are not taught how to correctly apply this ruling hence the slapdash attitude to signalling.

tlionhart

you dont actually have to physically move the indicator stick up or down in new cars, just tap it...bugs me when people don't bother. Or do it when they realize they made a mistake!

bungee

no one is advised like that. do you signal when your on your bike, you do know the rules of the road apply to bike riders don't you<

bECAUSE THE ACTION CAN BE MISCONCEIVED BY OTHER PEOPLE AS WE ARE NOT PSYCHIC. sOZ ABOUT THE CAPS, CAN'T BE SRSED CHANGING THEM.

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