While in that capacity Babbitt sat on an independent review panel advising the government on aviation safety policy.

[7] Babbitt succeeded Robert Sturgell and Lynne Osmus, who had both served as Acting FAA Administrator since Marion Blakey's term expired in 2007.

Babbitt was about 9 miles from his Reston, Virginia home when an officer alleged that he drove on the wrong side of the road.

Fairfax police issued a press release December 5, in accordance with a department policy of announcing arrests of public officials.

[9] The day the press release was published, Babbitt requested a leave of absence, which Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood granted.

A video of the arrest played in court showed that Babbitt had not, in fact, driven in the wrong direction.