I agree with you 100%.
While riding you need to continuously assess what is going on around you and anticipating that the other drivers do not see you and plan accordingly. This is why we teach about having a buffer zone around you to give you room to maneuver.
I agree. I must admit sometimes I speed just to create the buffer zone or get away from the teen who is texting at 70. Yes I do use other cars for shock absorbers.
I Uncle always said, "He with the most lugnuts wins. We only have two." "Ride like you are invisible." This second one saved my bacon with a car who was driving the wrong way on a one way street (bad road formatting very confusing).