When can law enforcement officers conduct a traffic stop?

Law enforcement officers can conduct a traffic stop when they have reasonable suspicion of a violation. This principle is grounded in the Fourth Amendment, which protects citizens against unreasonable searches and seizures. Reasonable suspicion means that the officer must have specific and articulable facts that lead them to believe that a traffic law is being violated or that a crime is potentially being committed.

This standard allows officers to stop a vehicle to investigate further based on observed behaviors or conditions that suggest illegal activity, such as erratic driving or other violations of the transportation code. This approach is crucial as it protects people's rights while enabling officers to maintain public safety by addressing potential threats before they escalate.

In contrast, conducting a traffic stop at any time would be unjustified and could violate citizens' rights if there is no basis for suspicion. The option concerning roadblocks refers to a different legal standard and specific circumstances that are not generally applicable to routine traffic stops. The mention of seeing a driver on their phone could suggest distracted driving, but without additional context or evidence of a clear infraction, it may not meet the threshold of reasonable suspicion necessary for the stop.