Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

It's Official: LaHood Will Not Serve Second Term as DOT Secretary

After much speculation on whether he would stay or go, this morning, Secretary Ray LaHood announced to the employees of the U.S. Department of Transportation that after serving for four years in President Obama's cabinet, he would not be staying on for the second term.

by Staff
January 29, 2013
It's Official: LaHood Will Not Serve Second Term as DOT Secretary

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will stay only until a successor is found.

1 min to read


Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will stay only until a successor is found.

After much speculation on whether he would stay or go, this morning, Secretary Ray LaHood announced to the employees of the U.S. Department of Transportation that after serving for four years in President Obama's cabinet, he would not be staying on for the second term.


Secretary LaHood sent the following email to DOT employees across the country, informing them of his plans:

"I have let President Obama know that I will not serve a second term as secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. 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 listed among his achievements the Distracted Driving Initiative, reducing roadway fatalities to historic lows, and the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act to help build and repair their roads, bridges and transit systems.

In December, he noted, the DOT was recognized as the most improved agency in the entire federal government in the 2012 Best Places to Work rankings published by the Partnership of Public Service. 

More Safety & Compliance

Maintenanceby Deborah LockridgeJune 23, 2026

Wabash Trailers Recalled for Improperly Installed Underride Guards

More than 900 Wabash dry van trailers may not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for rear impact guards.

Read More →
YouTube thumbnail with photo of K&B's Lance Evans with truck in the background and the words, Trucking's AI Wake-Up Call

Why K&B Trucking Is Embracing AI and Driver Safety Technology

Crunching data and embracing artificial intelligence are key in K&B Trucking's safety efforts, says the company's safety director.

Read More →
The Cyber Stop header showing an enforcement officer talking to a truck driver and a screen shot of the FMCSA's revoked ELDs list
Safety & Complianceby Ben WilkensJune 19, 2026

The Hidden Problem Behind FMCSA's ELD Revocations

NMFTA researchers say dozens of registered ELDs may be built on the same software platforms, allowing compliance and security concerns to persist even after individual devices are removed from the market.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of inside truck cab with dashcam on window, definition of research, and ATRI logo

ATRI Wants Motor Carriers for Driver-Facing Camera Study

In this new study, the American Transportation Research Institute will explore how driver-facing cameras can impact safety and operational metrics in trucking fleets.

Read More →
Man seated in front of computer with inset of insights generated for a truck driver

Netradyne Intelligence Uses New AI Agents to Automate Response to In-Cab Camera Data

The company called the next-generation in-cab camera safety platform "a fundamental shift from systems that report on what happened to systems that actively drive what should happen next."

Read More →
Maintenanceby Deborah LockridgeJune 15, 2026

Mack, Volvo Issue ‘Do Not Drive’ Recall on Possible Wheel-Offs

Owners will be sent advance notice not to operate their affected vehicles until the remedy is performed.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Fleetworth-Lytx integration.

Fleetworthy Integrates Lytx Video Snapshots into Safety+ Platform

A new Fleetworthy-Lytx integration gives fleet managers access to video context alongside safety event data, streamlining driver coaching and incident review.

Read More →
Podcast thumbnail illustration
Fleet ManagementJune 4, 2026

How Waste Connections is Using Data, Telematics, and AI

How do you manage and maintain more than 18,000 connected trucks? Data. Lots of it.

Read More →
Fleet Advantage TRUST

Fleet Advantage: Top Logistics Fleets Outperform National Safety Benchmarks

Fleet Advantage's latest TRUST Safety Index found leading logistics fleets maintained significantly lower out-of-service rates and stronger safety scores than national averages, while highlighting persistent challenges related to tires, brakes, and unsafe driving behaviors.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
YouTube thumbnail showing Chuck Palmer illustration with refuse truck in background

Why Fleet Data Matters More Than Ever at Waste Connections [Watch]

Waste Connections' Chuck Palmer explains how telematics, predictive maintenance, safety analytics, and AI help keep vehicles on the road and drivers safe in this episode of HDT Talks Trucking.

Read More →