Why might a police officer use a patrol car instead of walking a beat?

Using a patrol car allows a police officer to cover larger areas more efficiently compared to walking a beat. The car provides mobility, enabling the officer to respond quickly to incidents over a wide geographical area. This is especially important in urban environments where the distances between potential calls for service may be significant. Moreover, being in a vehicle makes it easier to observe multiple areas at once, enhancing situational awareness and the ability to intervene in various situations as they arise. The advantages of traveling by car also include the ability to transport necessary equipment and to manage communication with dispatch more effectively, thereby increasing overall operational efficiency.