Out of the over 51 million cars recalled in 2015, 25 percent went without the required repairs. In efforts to raise public awareness of recall issues, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated the Safe Cars Save Lives campaign, urging vehicle owners to check the open recall list twice a year, and have their vehicles repaired promptly if they are affected.
Safe Cars Save Lives Campaign
The U.S. Department of Transportation states that consumers are an important ally in their efforts to make sure recalled vehicles are repaired quickly. The Safe Cars Save Lives campaign promotes the NHTSA’s free vehicle identification number (VIN) lookup tool, which automobile owners can use to check if their vehicle has been included in an open recall. The NHTSA urges consumers to check the open recall list at least twice per year, suggesting doing so when time changes occur as an easy way to remember. If vehicles are included in recalls, consumers should contact their dealership to schedule the necessary repairs right away.
Enhancing Recall Communication
Communication is a key element when it comes to informing consumers of recalls. Currently, manufacturers are required to provide the NHTSA with the VINs of affected vehicles so that they may be added to the online recall database, and inform vehicle owners of the recall via U.S. mail. The NHTSA has made an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, aimed to identify new notification methods which hopefully will bring the recall completion rate up to the desired 100 percent.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by vehicle defects, you may qualify to receive compensation for the damages you have endured. A trusted Fort Worth personal injury attorney from the law offices of Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn will gladly assist you in pursuing your claim against negligent vehicle manufacturers.
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