A Wellington motorist has been labelled the "dumbest driver ever" on TikTok after a very relatable and awkward encounter on a narrow street – but who's in the wrong?
Dashcam footage of the incident published on TikTok with the title "you are watching the dumbest driver ever" has amassed over 50,000 views so far.
The footage shows a red car pulling left into a street that has been made narrow by parked cars on either side. The red car continues to drive down the street, as footage shows a silver vehicle approaching.
As both cars get closer, neither of them can continue – made awkward by a van parked on the left of the red car.
Both cars come to a halt and sit staring at each other for about 30 seconds before the red car decides to swerve left to allow room for the silver car to pass.
Newshub called in AA chief policy and advocacy officer Simon Douglas to watch the dashcam footage to determine who's in the wrong.
The encounter is not an uncommon one, especially in Wellington with its many narrow streets.
Where the cars come to a stop is not an official intersection, so there is no specific giveaway rule that applies.
Douglas said he would apply common sense and courtesy and negotiate the situation with the driver.
"On the whole there is a road rule that does ask you to keep to the left."
After watching the TikTok video, Douglas said the driver of the silver car had more room to the left than the driver of the red vehicle.
"Their ability to move to the left wasn't impeded by any parked cars."
Douglas told Newshub common sense and courtesy would have gone a long way in this situation.
"A little bit of common sense would suggest that they (the silver car) would move left, then the two drivers could have negotiated that situation comfortably."
Watch the moment above.
