To think you don’t drive down the middle of the road

[Idonotlikeyoudonaldtrump]

Braving AIBU so please be kind! I IABU I’m happy to hear it.

We live rurally. I’m a non-driver.

The other day a friend (A) and I were given a lift by friend of a friend (B).

The road was a very winding one. B drive down the middle of the road spanning both lanes and sometimes on the wrong side of the road. When a car came in the opposite direction she returned to her own side of the road.

I wasn’t happy and wanted to get out of the car. A and B found it funny and called me an old woman.

A said afterwards that this is the safe and normal way to drive down this road and that she drives in the same way. She says that taking the straightest route down a winding road is the safest way to drive and that it reduces risk of skidding.

Asked friend C, who says WTAF and that this isn’t a thing, that visibility isn’t good and they might not spot a car coming the opposite way until too late.

So AIBU or is this a normal driving technique? Am I being silly not wanting to accept a lift from A or B again?

It’s definitely a fully functioning road. Round here that’s as major as the roads get. We were on a bendier part.

It’s an advanced driving technique, where there is a broken white line you should use all the available road when safe to do so. Usually used to improve your lines of sight but also for example on a little left/right sequence of bends that you can see completely through, you could be fully on the wrong side of the road to maximise your speed through them.

That looks like an A road. Likely to have a fair bit of traffic on it. Unsure what skidding risk they are talking about unless it's icy generally in which case you don't drive like a twat (another term ) when it's icy. But it's not icy at this time of year generally. If there is a problem with say mud that you know about, again, you adjust your driving for that spot and the risk of oncoming traffic.

Which side of the road were they on. Have just taken this from a driving test tips website. "DOUBLE WHITE LINES WHERE THE LINE NEAREST YOU IS SOLID
Solid white line on your side of the road means you must not cross the line except for the above circumstances. Vehicles in the opposite lane may cross the line."

Solid white line is there for a reason. Don't cross it.

If you straddle the white line in that picture you can see what is coming far earlier than on the left side of the road.

Therefore its safer so long as you can move back.

Sounds like the best way to do it.

Depends which direction you are driving

Not that obvious biscuit, given the OP's driver was doing it on a twisty road with no visibility.

The Highway Code states:

Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.

driving on the other side of the road is known as off-siding...

• where you cross a solid white line it is illegal
• otherwise legal
• you should only do it if by doing so you increase your view - making it safer - not where it closes down your view
• therefore you would only ever do it approaching a left bend (you can see further around the bend)
• you never do it approaching a right bend
• you always leave more than enough room to return to your side
• you don't do it to avoid skiding - if that is a risk - the driver should slow down
• you do it only for observational reasons
• the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) no longer tech it - though you won't be penalised if you use it as a skill

is it wrong - no, but it is an advanced skill and you need to know what you are doing to use it - the issue comes with those who think that they know what they are doing but don't and it all goes wrong...

Thanks all! Really useful feedback! That was a pretty painless venture into AIBU!

I drive down a road which seems very similar to the one you talk about. Driving in the middle of the road is ok (and common) as long as you can see well ahead what's in front of you and able to move back into your lane well ahead of time.

If it's winding with blind corners then no it isn't ok.