What did Whren v. United States establish regarding traffic stops?

The case of Whren v. United States established that any traffic offense can serve as a valid basis for a traffic stop, regardless of the officer’s subjective motives. The ruling emphasized that as long as a law enforcement officer observes a traffic violation—such as speeding or running a stop sign—they are justified in initiating a stop. This decision reinforced the principle that the legality of a traffic stop is based on the occurrence of a violation, not the motivations behind the officer’s decision to pull over the vehicle. This principle has significant implications for law enforcement practices, as it allows officers to act on observed infractions without needing to justify their actions based on ulterior motives. Ultimately, this case underscores the importance of the objective assessment of traffic violations in justifying law enforcement actions.