Safety in numbers?

Elsewhere on this forum I read a reference to three outfits meeting a coach coming the other way on a narrow road and it was described as a 'nightmare'.  Now we can't know the specific details but it seems to me that this is a situation that could easily be made worse by one of the traits that some drivers seem to display, namely following closely behind the vehicle in front on narrow roads so that what you end up with is a 'bunch' of several vehicles.  When that bunch meets a bunch coming the other way and there is only a small space in which to pass, the result can be chaotic.  My preference on a narrow road, particulary when towing, is to stay well back from any vehicle in front (whilst trying to keep it in sight) so that if I see that it has met an oncoming vehicle in a tight space ahead of me, I can hopefully find a spot where I can pull in without having to back up ... and if reversing IS necessary at least I won't have to go so far.  It's like having your own personal 'scout', checking out the road ahead for you.  I'm amazed at the number of drivers who don't do this though, and who follow closely behind the vehicle in front, perhaps believing that there is safety in numbers?

Any comments?  Am I missing a trick?