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

The phase in which officers typically have direct contact with the driver is personal contact. During this phase, officers approach the vehicle and interact with the driver, which may include asking for identification, providing information about the reason for the stop, and assessing the driver's demeanor and behavior. This interaction is crucial as it allows the officer to gather information that could influence the outcome of the encounter, such as determining if further action is necessary or if the driver poses a safety risk.

In contexts like vehicle in motion, the officer's focus is primarily on observing the driver's actions while the vehicle is still moving, which does not facilitate direct interaction. Pre-arrest screening occurs at a different point, generally after the officer has established initial contact and possibly leads to further investigation. Traffic stop initiation pertains to the initial action of signaling for the vehicle to stop rather than the moment of direct conversation with the driver. Hence, the personal contact phase clearly represents the moment when direct engagement with the driver occurs.