State v. Matthews

The issue in this case is whether the Court of Appeals erred in holding that, under ORS 810.410(3)(b), a police officer may stop and detain the driver of a vehicle if the officer has a “reasonable basis” to believe that the driver committed a traffic infraction. State v. Matthews, 126 Or App 154, 157, 868 P2d 14 (1994). We affirm the decision of the Court of Appeals.

On the night of May 22, 1991, Officer Frye was driving on a rural highway when he noticed that the headlights of defendant’s oncoming truck were shining into his eyes. Frye turned around, followed defendant, and pulled him over.…