Who was in the right?

Well you said it yourself, car 2 is in the right, car 1 is on the left...

Similar to what you get on a bike sometimes. Cars close gaps when you're trying to pull in, be it filter or overtake.

Always a good idea to have a plan B. Trying to play them at their own game is often more hassle than its worth.

Id imagine if they were both stubborn enough, itd be car 2 which is at fault as hes the one doing a manoeuvre

Car number 1 shouldn't have sped up, car number 2 should have really looked further ahead and maybe re-assed how many cars you could overtake (get past) before merging in.

I've actually been in this position before in the VRS.... Against a 4x4! He sped up just as I was going past him. I'm not proud of it, but I kept my foot in and forced my way in.

Easily done when you're a stupid young male. Since getting the Beemer, I don't care anymore and in the same situation would quite happily let tractors squeeze past me!

Circumstances alter cases.

 

As originally presented in post #1 I had the impression that this road had been 2 lane dual carriageway for some considerable distance relative to the vehicle speeds prior to the merge, and both vehicles were travelling at a cruising speed. In that event the onus would always be on the vehicle changing lanes to do so safely.

 

#12 says that the car on the inside lane was deliberately blocking the one in the outside from completing what should have been a safe manoeuvre.

Must admit my sympathy is with the op.

The other driver was clearly not thinking about safety. Probably would also speed up when being overtaken on a country road. Though shall not pass mentality. Who cares what danger it puts the other driverin.

Had this thankfully only a couple of times, each time scared the life out of me

If the op had braked to a halt would they have just been tail ended by cars behind them

If I was car 1, car 2 would know clearly i was allowing the zipper by easing off the accelerator and in they go

If I Was car 2 and made it safely in the lane I would also let all other possible traffic in from side roads for the remainder of the journey where safe to do so

Just to make the point. KARMA

Quote the highway code all you want, but be honest on that situation would you think what is that idiot doing, or I should just wait in the out side lane getting everyone irate until a kind gentle person let's me in

Rush hour, if in London you would be there until midday