U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says he believes motorists are distracted by any use of mobile phones while driving, including hands-free calls, as his department begins research that may lead him to push for a ban.  Link

What is next?  Banning all conversations while driving?  Have a conversation with a hands-free device is no more distracting that having a conversation with passengers.  Talk about big government.

LaHood also made an outrageous statement in an intereview this week: “I don’t want people talking on phones, having them up to their ear or texting while they’re driving.”  Hey, Secretary LaHood, I hate to break this to you, but this is SUPPOSED TO BE A FREE COUNTRY.  If I can speak to a passenger or on my hands-free phone without being distracted, it is none of your business.

(And somehow I missed the part of the Constitution that authorizes this).