The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), recently started its new Safe Cars Save lives public awareness campaign.
The campaign encourages people to find out at least twice annually whether their vehicles are part of any recalls, and take action as soon as possible to get their vehicles fixed if they are part of any recalls.
The campaign includes online banner ads that show how safety should always be a top priority. The ads also show that guaranteeing vehicles are recall-free could help save lives. The campaign encourages drivers to check for recalls when they change their clocks in the fall and spring to adjust for daylight saving time, to ensure two checks per year.
“Recalls are a serious safety issue that should be promptly addressed,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. “An informed consumer is one of our strongest allies in ensuring recalled vehicles are repaired. Do not wait to act if your car is under recall and the parts are available.”
In 2015, there were approximately 90 recalls for 52 million vehicles in the U.S. Each year, 25 percent of recalled vehicles on average go unfixed.
“Safe Cars Save Lives is a critical effort for building public awareness of recalls and is the first national campaign aimed at empowering vehicle owners,” NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said. “Millions of vehicles are recalled every year. Old, new, used or leased – one of those recalled vehicles could be yours. Check your VIN (number) – Safe Cars Save Lives.”
