US Transportation Secretary Slams Britney Spears  2/14/06

US Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta has slammed Britney Spears for driving with her infant son on her lap.

The government official made his comments during an event at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania yesterday (13FEB06), to mark the start of Child Passenger Safety Week.

Mineta says, "Recent photos of Britney Spears driving with her infant son on her lap are troubling.

"And while Ms Spears has acknowledged her mistake, her actions still send the wrong message to millions of her fans."

Mineta chided Spears for being "irresponsible", as he announced a new initiative to improve child car-seat safety.

He adds, "No matter who you are, there's absolutely no excuse for this display - not instinct, not fear, not even reckless paparazzi.

"It's irresponsible to compromise the safety of a child for the sake of the moment."

Spears apologised for her actions last week (ends10FEB05) after she was spotted driving through Malibu, California to escape photographers with her infant son, Sean Preston, on her lap.