I’m qualified to answer only the first question.
Most times I have been stopped by a traffic cop, they will approach the car from the passenger side. It happens everytime I’m stopped on a freeway. Why? Because they don’t know if the driver has a loaded gun within easy reach. They don’t know if you’re the type to point a pistol out of a slightly open car window, aim at a cop and pull the trigger.
If they racially profile, it is because of what has been experienced. I don’t object to that.
Interesting...I have been stopped many times (ah to be young and dumb again)...and have never been approached from the passenger side.
And that's in CA, TX, and OK.
I’ve always lived in Texas, other than time in the Navy.
LEOs here have always approached a vehicle they have stopped on the driver’s side of the vehicle. If there are two LEOs, one of them will also go to the passenger side; especially if there are other occupants.
The author of the article is full of it!