You were still behind them so you still had the responsibility to observe and avoid. I’m not saying what they did was smart. But if the law required you to be smart, many people would be in jail.
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Your front bumper was behind his rear bumper? You’re responsible 100%.
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Look, this is one of those situations where you both were doing the same thing at about the same time… Yes, you started first but you’re dealing with a new driver. You have to expect anything. As a motorcycle rider I am watching for these “gotcha” situations all the time. As I’m coming up about to pass someone I expect them to try to kill me. That’s how experienced motorcycle riders think. You should too.
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I lean to the left and touch my head to the window, then move the left side mirror to see the lane next to me. The rear fender is just out of view. I lean right over the center consol and do the same with the right side mirror. I now have a full view of my lane and the lanes on either side. When a car moves out of view of my rear view mirror it enters the view in my side mirror. This pretty much eliminates blind spots.
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My brother “from another mother”…
That is exactly how I used to set the side-view mirrors in any car I owned or drove, since 2004. And as prescribed on NHTSA’s own page regarding BGE (blindspot & glare elimination) adjustment for mirrors.
Now, I just pan the side mirrors out, until fenders disappear, from a normal position in my driver seat. This, after having nearly sideswiped a Ford Explorer and a small UHaul truck when merging onto or changing lanes on a highway, with the BGE method.
I have no idea why this thread even exists . It is impossible to drive without having some problem at some time or another. Being in unfamiliar area , sign confusion or in this case a new driver . The instructor is on the right side passenger seat so they can’t see all that the driver position sees. No bent vehicle parts and both parties went on to wherever they were going . Just go on with your life and try your best not to be the one who makes driving errors.
Side note - I have a convenience store/fuel store I have to pass daily. I just expect someone to turn in or exit when they shouldn’t. Not going to chase them down and tell them how to drive.
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I saw a semi kinda driving slow the other day. When I got up to it, it had a sign that said “”student driver”. I gave him plenty of room.
What is the definition of “slow” - 60mph in a 55 zone?
Maybe 15 in a 45 and hesitantly heading to a left turn lane. But don’t miss the point of giving someone much bigger a wide berth to avoid a problem. Like a Jon boat encountering a ship that Barkey will understand.