Congressman Pulled Over for Speeding During Radio Interview (Listen)

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Congress

(Credit: lungren.house.gov)

California Rep. Dan Lungren called into a radio station this morning to discuss the creation of a new law.

Meanwhile, he was breaking an old one.

The Republican lawmaker was driving to his Washington office this morning when he called into California radio station KFBK to discuss the recently-passed International Megan's Law. Before the interview could get underway, however, he was pulled over. A police officer can be heard in the interview, saying, "Can you hang up the phone, sir?"

"I have to get off the phone in just a moment here," Lungren said. "Can I call you back in just a second? I'm sorry, I'm talking to a police officer here."

Pressed on what was going on, Lungren admitted, "I was driving here probably just slightly over the speed limit." You can listen to the interview here.

While waiting for the officer to process his information, Lungren told the radio station about the new law, which requires registered sex offenders to give notification before they travel abroad.

Lungren told the station he wasn't violating any hands-free driving laws. He joked that he started speeding because, "I guess I was getting excited to be on the radio."

A spokesman for the congressman told the Sacramento Bee he was let go with a warning.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by fdx22 August 5, 2010 12:10 PM EDT: When you are driving, you are supposed to keep your full, undivided attention on driving. He's lucky he got a speeding ticket. When one splits their attention between driving and phone calls, a car accident is just waiting to happen.; Reply to this comment