WASHINGTON D.C. ? The current administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Jeffrey Runge, announced on Thursday that he would leave the agency. Runge will become the chief medical officer in the Department of Homeland Security.
The former emergency-room physician took the helm at the NHTSA in 2001 and has proven to be a sometimes contentious leader, criticizing the rollover behavior in SUVs and pushing Detroit and other automakers to add more standard safety equipment to vehicles. Runge will report to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, and will prepare plans for defense against potential bioterror attacks, according to the Wall Street Journal. Under Runge’s leadership, the NHTSA has observed the highest seatbelt-use rate in American history.
