In the OWI detection process, which phase occurs after observing the vehicle in motion?

In the OWI detection process, the phase that follows observing the vehicle in motion is personal contact. This phase is critical because it involves the officer interacting directly with the driver after having assessed the vehicle's behavior on the road. During this interaction, the officer looks for signs of impairment, such as the driver’s speech, physical appearance, and coordination. The personal contact phase allows the officer to gather additional evidence that may indicate whether the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This step is integral to forming a reasonable suspicion that can lead to further actions, such as a field sobriety test or arrest.

The other phases serve different purposes; observing the vehicle in motion helps to identify potentially impaired driving, while pre-arrest screening occurs after personal contact and includes specific assessments to confirm impairment. Issuing a traffic violation citation may happen in some cases but is not specifically focused on the detection of OWI, making personal contact the appropriate next phase after observing the vehicle.