To assume that other drivers on the road are reasonably able and confident at driving?

[WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll]

I've noticed this a number of times recently. There will be a road that is plenty wide enough for three cars side by side, with one row of parked cars along one side, thus no need for anybody in either direction of traffic to pull over to give way.

However, the person coming the other way will then (unnecessarily) pull over, in order to allow me to continue on my way, sometimes look frightened and often give me the evils for (as they clearly see it) forcing them to wait whilst I take the priority, even when the row of parked cars is on my side - when nobody actually needed to wait at all. They look shocked at the idea that I may have been intending to 'force them' to pull a little nearer to the kerb, when this is just standard driving - no different from naturally moving over to one side when you're walking down the middle of a corridor and you meet somebody walking in the opposite direction.

I can only think that this reaction must come from a point of low confidence in driving or possibly very poor spatial awareness - or maybe some kind of misunderstanding that makes them think it is the law that you cannot have two lines of traffic on a local (without lanes marked out) road if there are parked cars? I always give the benefit of the doubt if space is limited, but anywhere where two adequate drivers would have more than enough room to pass, I wouldn't pull over and wait unnecessarily - any more than I would routinely stop for a green traffic light.

I know the old (wise) adage is that you should always assume that other drivers are idiots; but surely there comes a point where you have to expect that other drivers (unless maybe displaying an L or P plate) are at least reasonably skilled and confident at basic driving? When this happens, I'm assuming (maybe wrongly) that they are OK drivers, whilst I can only suppose that that they are thinking that I am a terrible, dangerous and/or selfish driver! I'm neither an amazing nor rubbish driver: just kind of averagely competent, I reckon; and very courteous and patient.

AIBU?

I think you're assuming a lot about the other driver's thought and intentions tbh. Maybe they've passed someone before and clipped a mirror. Maybe it's a new car and they're still getting used to the dimensions. Whatever the reason, if they're pulling over that's their call and I wouldn't even be paying that much attention to their expression or whatever as I'd be driving and giving a polite thank you "wave" of some sort. And they'd be immediately forgotten about.

On the subject of other drivers, I'll just quote my 88 year old no-nonsense northerner dad, who's still an excellent driver and sharp as a tack: 'it's not you, it's the other silly bugger'.

My dad used to say everyone else on the road is an idiot, and they are waiting to do something stupid.

Some people are unable to judge how wide a gap is and if their car will fit comfortably / safely through. They just sit there and wait for the oncoming traffic to clear before they proceed. Very frustrating and unnecessary.

After seeing one to many dash camera footage and the fact most drivers cannot resist their mobile phones, then I'd rather presume most drivers are hazards on the roads.

I think you’re overthinking it. I just think that lots of people find judging the width of their vehicle plus someone else’s versus a certain space quite difficult, especially now that cars are so much wider than they used to be and particularly if they aren’t familiar with the road in question. I drive on the kind of road you’re talking about most days and I’ve got fairly used to judging where two cars can pass and where they can’t but it’s taken a bit of practice.

Well of course they are not. Lots of drivers are unlicensed or drunk or high or just plain inept.

What I can't stand is when, on a narrow road cars parked both sides, is I pull over to let an oncoming car through only for them to then pull over! So then I pull out give them a cherry wave but am thinking 'why the heck did you do that when I had already pulled over'?
I do not look at their faces other than the barest glance, certainly do not then ponder how they are feeling about it.

You are supposed to drive defensively, expecting anyone could do something silly at any time. We have Boris Johnson as PM so I'd never assume basic common sense tbh, so there's nothing wrong with being careful.

Maybe they think you are a bad driver and don't want you to scrape their car.
I never look at other drivers to the extent that I'd notice such a detailed range of (assumed) emotions.

I only started driving 4 years ago, at 34. And most of my driving involves pottering around locally. So although I'm confident on the road, I'm inexperienced and take my time in situations like the one you've described.

You're making a lot of assumptions.

I've a friend who thinks everyone who doesn't judge a situation the same way he does is a poor driver.

I don't agree with him!

The other driver's car may have poorer visibility than yours- a column in the wrong place, for example- so they can't see the their edges.
The car may be unfamiliar to them- driving their mum's/husband's etc.
The road may be unfamiliar
Their perspective may be different- a corner they can't see round
Their car may not have the same wheelbase so they slow right down for speed humps
They may have a bad back or a delicate cargo so they slow right down for speed humps
They may be aware of something you can't see

Etc etc.

You just don't know what is happening for the other person.

I prefer over cautious drivers to over confident ones.

forcing them to wait whilst I take the priority, even when the row of parked cars is on my side when nobody actually needed to wait at all.

You do know you don't have the priority when the cars are on your side?

You don't say what sort of car you drive - if it's a massive 4×4, then it's pretty common that these cars aren't positioned perfectly on the road - which is an issue because they're so big.

On a slightly narrowish road where two average sized cars can pass, if one is a 4x4 it's not so obviously clear on approach that both will be able to fit, more so if that driver is even slightly over to one side, and even more so if they are careering along and don't slow down at all.

If someone is a bit anxious or unsure, it's much better that they pull in and wait instead of doing something potentially unsafe.

Although maybe in the scenario in your post, they don't feel two cars can fit comfortably and are therefore annoyed at you for it stopping when the obstruction is on your side and not theirs 😉

If it happens that often to you that you get people looking terrified or giving you evils I think it's you, not them

If the obstruction is on your side of the road, you should pull over to let oncoming traffic pass. Pretty sure that's in the highway code.

People get annoyed if you drive at them at speed on the wrong side of the road.

Yes I know you're probably not actually speeding, but 30mph can feel very fast when you're not 100% sure of the situation. And yes, it turns out that the two cars can pass without losing wing mirrors, but different people have different "buffer zones" they like to preserve around their own car.

If you're pulling out around parked cars on your side of the road, then you should be courteous - technically you're on the other person's side of the road, and really they have priority to drive however they feel comfortable.

If I'm not absolutely sure I can get through a gap safely, then I'll wait. Isn't that sensible? I don't want to scratch my car, and certainly not someone else's - an accident would be a massive hassle.

I'm even less likely to attempt a small gap if the other car is going fast and showing no sign of slowing down. I drive on a road like you describe every day, and while I know you can get three cars through I'm not always sure the other driver's position in the road is correct.

Basically I don't want to have an accident, so I'm cautious. If someone thinks I'm being over-cautious, that's their problem.

So, the parked cars are on your side, you judge there to be space for both moving cars, driver of other car disagrees so does the m6 sensible thing and pulls over because you don't appear to be, despite the obstruction being on your side. You are then annoyed they have made a different judgement call to you, erring on the side of caution, but you are not held up in any way by this. Righty ho......

I assume that every other driver on the road is an idiot and out to kill me.

I've had far too many experiences to list to support that view (regularly M25 user - the road of choice for crap drivers ime)

It’s often the confident drivers that cause the problems imo. Besides, you only need to take one test to be able to drive, it’s no wonder that people aren’t amazing. Plus the massive cars that others have mentioned, it’s really narrow round here with parked cars everywhere so it’s pretty terrifying when someone comes in the other direction at speed.

You sound like the type of driver I wait for, sailing along at speed in a big car without thinking about it.

My parents have each been driving for 50 years or so; DF drives like you and DM is cautious. Over those years DF has written off 3 cars, at least 5 minor crashes and bumps, at least 20 scratches or wing mirrors off that I can think of, countless parking tickets, 2 speed awareness courses and a range of points. DM once got a parking ticket that she successfully disputed, and twice had another vehicle bump her, each time proven to not be her fault. Over time, there is a real difference in driving outcomes based on how cautiously you drive.

I'm guessing you perhaps don't slow down much if at all? There may be room but you should both be slowing down to pass safely when you are clipping into their lane. I dislike this. I wouldn't wait but I would expect/hope the oncoming vehicle to slow down...but they rarely do. It's a bit bullish. Other people have to compensate for that kind of behaviour, it's selfish.