What is an important officer safety habit to have when conducting a traffic stop?

Maintaining an awareness of the violator during a traffic stop is a critical officer safety habit. This practice involves observing the driver's movements, behavior, and any potential actions that may pose a threat. By keeping an eye on the violator, an officer can proactively assess the situation, watch for any sudden movements, and ensure that there are no hidden dangers, such as weapons or other individuals in the vehicle who may become combative.

This habitual vigilance helps officers to react appropriately and swiftly to any changes in the situation. It enhances situational awareness, which is essential for safely conducting stops, especially given that traffic stops can sometimes escalate unexpectedly. Other duties like signing the citation or issuing a warning are important to the process, but they do not directly contribute to immediate safety concerns as observing the violator does.