Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is out to honk at you. Photo by Transportation for America

Talking or texting on your cell phone while driving is illegal in the District. It’s also very dangerous, a point that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has been driving home with his nationwide Distracted Driving campaign. But for LaHood, just telling people not to do it isn’t enough — he pounces into action on weekend forays around town.

WTOP reports today that LaHood has taken a very hands-on approach to distracted drivers in the District:

“I drive around on the weekends in Washington,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood tells WTOP about his informal road patrols.

When he sees what he describes as “my biggest source of irritation” — somebody on a cellphone, LaHood takes action.

“What I’ve been doing is kind of honking at somebody if I see him on a cellphone.”

LaHood says it’s his way of “taking personal responsibility” to reduce driver distractions.

If LaHood doesn’t get you, the police just might. Last year the District handed out over 10,000 tickets for violations of the city’s talking-while-driving rules, netting over $1 million worth of fines.