US aviation boss on leave over drunk driving arrest

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The top U.S. aviation safety  official, Randy Babbitt, took an immediate leave of absence today after he was arrested on a drunk driving charge over the  weekend, officials said.
The Federal Aviation Administration said transportation  officials and lawyers were discussing the status of Babbitt’s  employment.
Babbitt, who is in the middle of a five-year term as FAA  administrator and asked to take leave, will be replaced by his  deputy, Michael Huerta.
As FAA chief, Babbitt oversees more than 40,000 people and  is responsible for the U.S. air traffic system and regulations  governing aircraft and crew safety.
Babbitt, 65, was pulled over on Saturday night in Fairfax,  Virginia, outside Washington for driving on the wrong side of  the road, a police statement said.
He was alone in the car and there was no accident. He was  charged with driving while intoxicated and cooperated with  authorities, police said.
It was Babbitt’s second driving offense in Fairfax in five  years. He was convicted of reckless driving for speeding in  2006 and paid a $500 fine, court records show.