LaHood Appeals to Automakers to Discourage Distracted Driving

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood wants automakers to do more to warn customers about the dangers of distracted driving. LaHood recently called Subaru of America Chief Operating Officer Tom Doll to praise the Japanese automaker for its recent ad warning against distracted driving.

"Their 30-second ad is all about a parent telling their young child, 'Don't use a cell phone and don't text and drive,'" LaHood told The Detroit News. He told Doll: "You're stepping up here with really persuading people and you're going to win big accolades for doing that."

The ad, titled Baby Driver, features a father telling a young child not to text or make calls behind the wheel. The ad ends with the youngster, now a teen driver, behind the wheel. "Stay off the freeways — I don't want you going on those yet," the dad says in the ad, which has been viewed nearly 100,000 times on YouTube. "Call me — but not while you're driving."

The Transportation Department is researching how cell phones distract drivers.

LaHood has said he believes cell phones, even hands-free ones, are a "cognitive distraction." But he has stopped short of calling for a complete ban.

Asked today if he is considering endorsing a ban, LaHood didn't directly answer.

He said his focus is to prod the 20 remaining states that haven't banned texting behind the wheel to do so, and convincing Congress to pass a comprehensive distracted driving law.

"We're going to continue on that track and see where it takes us," LaHood said. "We're going to have lots of discussions on all of these things and see what happens."

Texting behind the wheel is illegal in Michigan.

LaHood plans several meetings with auto executives, and hopes to meet soon with General Motors Co. CEO Daniel Akerson.

"I want to get their attention," he said.

LaHood has held two national summits on distracted driving and has made ending the practice a top priority.

Automakers are concerned that a complete ban on cell phones could prevent them from offering popular technologies such as Ford Motor Co.'s Sync and some features of GM's OnStar.

Doll said in a statement that "Subaru has always appealed to people looking for safe cars, but it's always better not to get into a crash in the first place. Staying focused on the road is a key element in crash avoidance, which is why our designers deliver a simple, clear dash layout in our vehicles and why we remind people in our ads to concentrate only on their driving."