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?

This

Context is the key with passing parked cars. If you're going to go relatively fast, i.e. 30mph plus, then you need to allow around 2 metres as you can't stop if a child walks out between parked cars or if someone opens a car door in your path.

If you can't allow 2 metres because of the road being narrow or cars coming in the other direction, then you have to slow down and pass a lot closer/a lot slower, to give you space to slow or stop and time to improve your observation and awareness of hazards.

Your DD wouldn't have failed if she'd had slowed right down to pass cars with only a small gap, because, as you say, sometimes the circumstances are such that you'd never get anywhere.

Quite simply, the faster you go, the more clearance you need to allow.

FoolsRule You are right! I do know the width ,just judging spaces I suppose ."Spacial Awareness" My DH goes through what I deem a "tight space" quite easily!

Yeah, I'm with the others, if that many people are giving you worried looks, the gap you are leaving is not as big as you think it is.

There is this sort of scenario all over my commute. Some people do have really poor awareness or how big their vehicle is. They are often the ones bombing along at 30, and not giving way at particular junctions, when, for safety's sake, they should.

This isn't something I encounter often, which makes me wonder if the gaps aren't as big as you say and you're the one misjudging it? Do you at least slow down so you can pass each other safely if it's close? Sometimes if it's close it's easier just to wait and let people pass, if people want to make that choice so be it - the evils and looking shocked suggest they didn't expect you to make the choice to proceed though!
Also yes if cars are parked on your side oncoming car has priority over you. If you can pass parked cars without crossing over the lines in the middle of the road then yes the other driver is maybe overestimating the risk

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.

But it is different. There’s considerably less room for error if you misjudge a space when you’re driving, so you absolutely should be more cautious.

How on earth are you reading ‘frightened’, ‘giving you the evils’, ‘shock’ and ‘low confidence’ from the facial expressions of a driver you pass for a few seconds and can barely see through their windscreen?

I’m probably one of those drivers sometimes. I’m a fairly new driver with a new car and my confidence is building every day but there are plenty of moments where I think ‘I could probably fit through there, but I don’t feel totally confident doing so’ and decide it’s better to wait the 5 seconds or so that it takes for the road to clear. I’m certainly not feeling shock or horror or fear as you pass me in that situation, I’m just waiting for the gap I need. I think you might be overthinking and projecting rather a lot!

Yes the other driver should not have proceeded if they could see you were already there! He has priority before you both got to the parked cars but once you've started your way down this changes and he should wait as surely there's nowhere else for you to go?

If the row of parked cars is on your side you do not have priority so you should wait and allow the driver with priority though.
The only exception is for a massive road where there is enough clearance to open doors from the parked cars and plenty of room to see if small children/animals come out between the cars unexpectedly.
I hate drivers like you, I'm a confident driver but why take the risk? Any accident you would totally be in the wrong and insurance would not pay out as it's not your right of way.

I'd only we were all as great as driving as you OP.

The amount of near misses I see everytime I'm in a car.. I don't think that's bad advice! So many people come out of a junction without looking. It's scary.

My grandad used to push through booming, “room for a bus” and I now take the same approach in my Volvo XC90 no wonder other road users are scared

Have wondered whether this is a sort of cross-pollination from people standing back to let each other pass in narrow spaces (eg doorways, paths) much more than they used to, cos of covid. Kind of mentally translates to driving?

Nope. Never assume that!
The best advice Father gave me was to believe all other drivers were idiots and treat them accordingly, meaning, only I was responsible for my safety.
Read the road, forward plan when on motorway, keep distance that allows you to come to a full stop if needed.

Brilliant quote about motorway driving that translates beautifully into other aspects of life and demonstrates how self-centred and self-obsessed we all are:

”We think everyone driving slower than us is an idiot. And everyone driving faster than us is a maniac.”

A few years ago I was driving down a terraced residential road on the outskirts of my town which has a long line of cars parked on the road. They were on my side but I was a bit more than 3/4 of the way through before I saw another car coming towards me.

They could have easily stopped to wait for me at the end of the row which was only 4 or 5 cars ahead. Nope, they carried on going, forcing me to pull in and stop as close to the parked cars as I dare get. They probably thought they had enough room but they really didn't and they scraped all the way down the side of my car and then to add insult to injury they drove off.

Luckily I was only driving a crappy little daily run around that I wasn't fussed about, however these days I really like my car and I've spent a lot of money on it so I will always wait and allow others the priority of it looks like they are going to push on through, even if there probably is room. I don't want a repeat.

Don’t get me started on motorways.

Middle lane drivers (deserve their own category in the fiery flames of hell)
People going 69mph in the outside lane
People going 90mph and undertaking in the inside lane
BMW drivers (it always is, don’t @ me) who race up your arse, tailgate and flash their lights

That's brilliant!

I've never come across this personally. Most people know to pull over. Never seen anyone give me the evil eye, so is suspect you are someone pushing the boundaries and cutting it very fine with these actions.

Someone like the man who didn't have right of way (the white line gave me that) and who pushed through a parked car on his left, forcing me to clip the wing mirror of a parked car on my left. Yes, in theory there was space for us to pass, but it was too narrow to do it comfortable, hence most other drivers would have stopped and left me to pass.

I've no doubt there was sudden fear in my eyes!

It sounds like they are being considerate and sensible. You are not particularly and are then passing judgement on their imaginary thoughts

A few points:

-mobile phones are a problem

-drink driving isn't as much of a problem as it used to be, drug driving could be an issue, but the policy don't seem to do much about it

-speeding isn't a general problem, but there is a minority that drive at ridiculous speeds relative to the situation (should be harsher sentences for this)

-i am sure more people jump traffic lights than they used to

I am competent to judge whether both my wideish car and an oncoming vehicle can get through a gap. But what I don't know is if the other driver will be.

If it's someone driving down the middle of the road fast then I will err on the side of caution and assume that they are not going to slow down and pull over so we can pass safely. Especially if it is "white van person"!!

It also depends on what is happening with the traffic behind your vehicle. You might be leaving plenty of space for the other driver, but they may (should!) be reading the road and waiting for the lorry that’s already following you through the gap, or the bus they can see a bit further down and they know will probably do the same.

I just assume other drivers are dangerous and/or inept and I anticipate stupidity, especially in terrible weather or snow. Driving is more about accepting and dealing with stupidity and danger these days more than it is about actually enjoying driving. Badly maintained roads, endless roadworks and not a single workman in sight, pedestrians not looking when they cross, idiot cyclists etc I could go on. It's a means to an end for most.

I think you’re being unreasonable to assume everyone is a reasonably competent driver. You only have to see the state of some other road users driving and decision making to know that.

In relation to the parked car example, I’d much rather other motorists act with an abundance of caution if they don’t feel confident in a situation. If everyone did there’d be far fewer collisions.

It's so true though - even on slower roads!