Why are UK country roads so narrow?

I have never been able to understand what seem to effectively be one lane roads.
No room for two cars to pass.
Yes, it would keep the speed down but what are the fatal accident rates?

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SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

Fatality rate on the roads is 2.69 per 100,000 people. Well below the European average (which in turn is well below the international average). Speed is the main cause of death.

The narrow roads were built for Roman armies, pony post, walking to school. Not for modern cars. We have motorways for those.