Washington – Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told owners of recalled Toyotas to “stop driving” their vehicles, but later said he misspoke and advised owners to bring their vehicles to dealers if they were concerned.
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LaHood made the comments in testimony before a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation.
“What I said in there was obviously a misstatement,” LaHood said.
Department of Transportation spokeswoman Olivia Alair said the DOT was advising owners to contact their local dealerships to arrange for fixes as soon as possible.
Toyota’s most recent recall in the United States affects 2.3 million vehicles over the potential for sticking gas pedals.
LaHood told reporters earlier in the day that Toyota owners should contact their dealer immediately and “exercise caution until repairs can be made.”
LaHood also said he plans to speak with Toyota President Akio Toyoda about the automaker’s spate of recalls in the United States. LaHood confirms that the government is also investigating potential electrical problems in Toyota vehicles.
The secretary said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will conduct an investigation into electronic throttle control systems and potential electromagnetic interference in the nation’s fleet of vehicles.
He misspoke? the tax commish mistakenly didnt pay taxes for years? the comish in INS mistakenly hired a illegal worker? and if i mistakenly text and drive i will DEFINITLY get a ticket
Stupid is as stupid does. Just another day of addled missteps in this administration.
Meanwhile, on Captiol Hill: Sen. Blanche Lincoln] also took a swipe at Obama’s White House, referencing a constituent who “fears that there’s no one in your administration that understands what it means to go to work on Monday and make a payroll on Friday.”
For those who don’t know, LaHood didn’t just come out of nowhere. He was a very important part of Chicago mayor Daley’s inner circle. Rahm is another Chicagoan who cut his teeth under Daley. Of course, Obama is completely beholden to Daley, as well.
not to belittle the toyota problem
however the govt gettibg involved in the recall and calling for people to stop driving them causes a panic(which is what the govt wants) this way gm is pumped up and the govt now owns gm
He just wanted to get the headline out there so people would get so afraid to buy a Toyota that they would buy a GM or Chrysler instead. Obama can them claim credit for “saving the car companies” when their profits go up. This is Chavez like tactics.
They play us for fools.
Seems all of Obama’s Cabinet members are always “mispeaking.”