Final answer:
By law, motorists are required to maintain a minimum distance of 3 feet when passing a bicycle. The distance is established to reduce the risk of collisions due to sudden maneuvers or situations that require quick responses. The 3 feet rule applies to the safety of both the motorist and the cyclist.
Step-by-step explanation:
Motorists are required by law when passing a bicycle traveling in the same direction to allow a minimum distance for safety. According to traffic laws in many regions, the minimum distance that must be left when passing a bicycle is 3 feet. This law ensures that in the event of an unexpected situation, there is enough clearance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle to avoid a collision.
Understanding the importance of this distance is essential. For example, if a car is traveling at 60 km/hr, and given the average length of a car is about 3.5 meters, it's crucial for pedestrians or cyclists to evaluate the safe distance before crossing or being on the road. This distance should be enough for them to react to the speed of the passing vehicles.
The application of physics is central here, as one must consider the variables of speed, velocity, and reaction time. For instance, the rule of thumb that to cross a road safely, one should be able to walk at least 2 meters further than the width of the car (4 meters in total), before the car reaches them. If you see a car driving toward you that is 28 meters away, you should evaluate whether it can stop in time given its speed and the road conditions, which could be the length of about 8 cars.