At which phase do officers usually have direct contact with the driver?

The phase where officers usually have direct contact with the driver is during personal contact. This phase encompasses the interaction between the officer and the driver, where communication takes place. It is during personal contact that the officer engages with the driver, either to conduct a traffic stop, issue a citation, ask questions, or gather information.

While other options reference various stages of the traffic enforcement process, personal contact uniquely emphasizes the direct interaction between the officer and the individual in the vehicle. For example, during the vehicle in motion stage, the officer may observe the driver's behavior but does not have direct interaction. Similarly, pre-arrest screening refers to assessing a situation for possible arrest but does not specifically involve engagement with the driver. Traffic stop initiation entails the officer signaling the driver to stop but has not yet reached the point of personal interaction. Thus, personal contact is a critical phase for establishing communication and assessing the situation firsthand.