That you have yet to be hit by someone passing closer than that does not mean that it is a safe distance to pass someone. You can, thankfully, go a lifetime without being hit, but make no mistake
close overtaking, and behaviour that encourages close overtaking, increases your risk on the roads.
So, lets get this straight. You believe it is okay for motorists to overtake
even closer than three feet or so. You don't actually know how closely to overtake cyclists, but you definitely overtake safely...
Doesn't add up. You've incorrectly defined a safe distance for overtaking, you've said you usually overtake without going on to the other side of the road, and you're in charge of a
bus.
You really, really should reassess what you think a safe overtaking distance is, because if as it appears you're passing as close as you're happy to be overtaken, then you're increasing the risk to others on the road. Simply put, its bad motoring.
Like I've said, none of that comes in to it. You can claim whatever qualifications you like, passing that close is not acceptable.
Don't take my word for it. Have a look at this handy illustration in the highway code:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070314
Okay, after pages of abuse from you,
now I'll start surmising that the reason you've been so evasive is because you, like far too many road users, do not believe that you shoudl have to obey the rules of the road and give cyclists as much room as you're requested to do in the highway code. You think that overtaking more closely than that is safe. I'm afraid you are quite simply wrong.
Note, it has taken
pages of mindless abuse from you, in response to polite questions, before I've put that point to you. As the trickle feed of admissions of bad roadcraft has continued from you though, I think its safe to say that now.