U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood to Step Down

Secretary Ray LaHood sent a letter via email to DOT employees across the country, thanking the DOT’s staff for its hard work and mentioning specific accomplishments.

by Staff

January 29, 2013

U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood to Step Down — LaHOOD

1 min to read

The head of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Secretary Ray LaHood, announced he is stepping down after serving for four years in President Obama’s cabinet. The Secretary sent a letter via email to DOT employees across the country, thanking the DOT’s staff for its hard work and mentioning specific accomplishments.

“I have let President Obama know that I will not serve a second term as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation,” LaHood said in his farewell letter. “It has been an honor and a privilege to lead the Department, and I am grateful to President Obama for giving me such an extraordinary opportunity. I plan to stay on until my successor is confirmed to ensure a smooth transition for the Department and all the important work we still have to do.”

LaHood noted the role the federal agency has played in efforts to reduce incidents of distracted driving and its involvement in crafting new fuel economy standards. He also said the agency had been recognized as the “most improved agency” in the federal government in the 2012 “Best Places to Work” rankings published by the Partnership of Public Service.

Topics:CAFE Standards Ray LaHood U.S. DOT Distracted Driving Safety

More Safety

Ambulance and damaged car at a crash scene on a rainy roadway, illustrating workplace transportation risks and the growing focus on road safety management for fleets.

Safety•June 16, 2026

Managing Road Risk at Scale: Why Fleet Safety Needs a Data-Driven Framework

Insights from the FIA Road and Driver Safety Indexes reveal how to manage road risk on a larger scale.

Close-up of a Jeep Wrangler front grille and headlight with text noting Stellantis’ recall of 1.3 million Jeep vehicles worldwide over a potential fire risk tied to power steering wiring.

Safety•by Staff•June 10, 2026

Stellantis Recalls 1.3 Million Jeep Vehicles Worldwide Over Fire Risk

Stellantis is recalling more than 1.3 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide over a fire risk linked to power steering pump wiring.

Road signs pointing to “Safe” and “Risky” beside a glowing AI network graphic, illustrating the role of artificial intelligence in driver safety, coaching, training, and risk management.

Safety•June 10, 2026

Coaching Is Not Training, Even When AI Is Doing It

AI-powered safety platforms can detect risky behaviors and deliver immediate feedback. But effective driver development still requires a foundation of training followed by coaching that reinforces those skills.

From Our Partners

Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-time Prevention

How Emotions Behind the Wheel Can Affect Fleet Safety

During National Safety Month, fleets are encouraged to look beyond distracted driving and recognize how stress, fatigue, and emotional well-being influence driver performance and crash risk.

A blue and red Automotive Fleet graphic calling for nominations for the fleet safety award.

Safety•by Faith Howell•June 4, 2026

Nominations Open for 2026 Fleet Safety Award

Nominations have officially opened for the 2026 Fleet Safety Award Winner.

Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter

Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.