Jordin Sparks in distracted driving fight

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood enlisted star power in his crusade against distracted driving Tuesday, bringing along American Idol winner Jordin Sparks in an appeal tailored to teenage drivers.

Sparks, 20, said she made "a conscious effort not to pick up my cellphone when I'm driving," amplifying LaHood's appeal for drivers to "put that cellphone in the glove compartment until you reach your destination."

The two appeared at a Union Station event sponsored by Allstate Insurance, which has spearheaded efforts against distracted driving. Twenty-three states have banned sending or receiving text messages while driving, but LaHood used the event to again underscore his belief that talking on cellphones is an unacceptable risk.

-- Ashley Halsey III