an example of why police used to be trained to use their car to block the car they are pulling over, and the officer giving a ticket, by being closer to the traffic than the car pulled over.

See how the cop car is on the bumper of the car being pulled over?

More space between them would allow for safe space for the cop to jump into, and out of traffic's way

How the silver Hyundai Veloster didn't get damaged as well is a mystery. I was taught to put my cop car to the left of the car you're pulling over, so you can use it to prevent traffic form running into you, and so you can get behind the cop car if the person you pull over starts shooting you

https://www.facebook.com/AAANorthernNewEngland/photos/a.485638381513223.1073741829.134180139992384/1396269710450081/?type=3&permPage=1