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At a Department of Transportation press conference this morning, Secretary Ray LaHood tried to reassure the public on his initiative to end cell phone related distracted driving.
"We are here today to affirm loud and clear that we are keeping the pedal to the metal despite of a new effort to rile up the electronics industry and derail our coalition," LaHood said.
The department came under fire last week when industry lobbyists accused the Department's campaign of going too far, putting the industry in jeopardy by affecting future sales. The fear is that some states' legislation may eventually restrict hands-free devices such as Bluetooth and in-car, hands-free technologies. Currently, 30 states outlaw hand-held-device use while driving, but still allow hands-free.
But during questioning, LaHood was caught in a hard spot when asked how the federal government feels about the use of hands-free devices while driving. Several interest leaders, who joined LaHood this morning, pressed hard for a ban on all electronic devices, including hands-free. One of whom, referenced 11 studies in which said the level of distraction one has while using a hand-held device is the same as a hands-free device.
"I think these distractions can be deadly," he said, expressing his personal opinion, but when pressed on how the federal government feels, he fired back saying, "I know what you are trying to get to ... and I have gone as far as I can with your question."
Although the federal government cannot mandate on this issue, the DOT has created model legislation for state governments, which does not prohibit hands-free devices.
*** UPDATE *** Thirty states, Washington, D.C. and Guam have banned texting, and there are seven states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands that have banned all handhelds.
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Not that this isn't a huge thought-provoking entry, but perhaps this would stir more debate?
Dem Baucus joins GOP in blasting Obama CMS recess appointment
By Mike Lillis - 07/07/10 11:40 AM ET
Echoing Republicans, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) on Wednesday blasted the Obama administration for sidestepping Congress to install Donald Berwick atop the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
"Senate confirmation of presidential appointees is an essential process prescribed by the Constitution that serves as a check on executive power and protects Montanans and all Americans by ensuring that crucial questions are asked of the nominee — and answered," Baucus said in a statement."
http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/107417-mcconnell-berwick-recess-appointment-is-truly-outrageous
I thought the "He said she said" school of journalism was prevalent here, and this fits right in, no?
What the heck is up with Max?
Max is in danger of reverting back to where he was during the healthcare debates. He knows that many of the Presidents appointees have been held up and like many of the other legislators, it is time to get these people in place so that the country can be governed. If he is afraid of this appointee he should say so and not become one of the "sit on the fence" negotiatiors.
He makes me think that he too is not fully supportive of this administrations agenda. We can't wait around for them to play politics with everything that they are confronted with. If they can't make common sense judgement calls then maybe they should resign and not take tax payer money for doing nothing. We could save some money if they would just stay at home. Get this government going or get out of the way!
Nice post. The feds have been caught on record calling to ban all mobile technology, that's why LaHood clumsily backed out of that question. He needs to provide an answer other than "...I know what you're trying to get to." What? An answer? The nerve of these reporters ;-)
So Max, if it is so essential to the process what is stopping you from getting this job done? Your abdication of your responsibility and your dereliction of duty. Either do the work or resign.