Because on a single track road there is no 'this is my side', 'that is your side' to come into play.  It's all 'our side', therefore there can be no priority.  It all has to come down to common sense and cooperation.  Unfortunately these are not always qualities that are associated with those who are not used to narrow country lanes.

 

Rob.

Ok, that makes some sense, but I still don't see why a vehicle in the "wrong side" overtaking parked cars would have complete priority over the oncoming vehicle on its "right side". If anything I'd expect the reverse to be true and the vehicle on its "right side" to have absolute priority.

 

And what about the case where an STR has all its passing palces on one side for a substantial distance?

I have the same scenario on the road towards my house. If I'm driving along and the cars are parked on my side of the road and I'm already over taking said cars and I see a vehicle coming, I pull into the first available gap and let the other vehicle pass then proceed again. If I was coming the other way,ie my side clear and I see a car already committed to getting pass the parked cars,I wait at the available gap in order for that car to pull into. Luckily most people around here follow the same principle. I tend to reverse back if it's a large vehicle or a towing vehicle,just to make things easier.

As for the OP,I would have pointed the cars parked up,were technically causing an obstruction,so ok for him to enforce 1 rule whilst blatantly ignoring another rule. I be asking why he was on the wrong side of the road,and see what is response would have been

I'd suggest that if the OP hadn't made a stupid hand jesture, and taken a deep breath, nothing would have been said.

 

Ken, it doesn't matter which "side" the passing places are on a single track road. The person nearest to any passing place gives way. No-one has "right of way", as such. The Highway Code only suggests  that vehicles going downhill should not be expected to reverse back up the hill. 

Rule 163 clearly says give way to oncoming vehicles before passing parked vehicles. 

It doesnt say pull into gaps and give way to oncoming vehicles but in my experience most people pull in out of courtesy, myself included.

I regard anyone who doesnt give way as ignorant and deserving of of a gesture - police included. If they want our respect then they need to show respect themselves. 

Not saying where fault lies, but if there was only room for one vehicle width how did you and the police car pass each other?

Whatever happened to common sense and common courtesy?

 

Sounds like he was full of bluster to disguise the shortcomings with his own driving .

 

I think the OP said that the sergeant who accosted him was the passenger in the vehicle, not the driver.

I'd suggest that if the OP hadn't made a stupid hand jesture, and taken a deep breath, nothing would have been said.

 

Maybe, but then that's just endorsing the power trip that the officer was on. In my experience, most that get behind the wheel of something with stripes and lights all over it suddenly feel that all should give way to them.