The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) launched a pilot program this week that makes it the first Transportation Department in the United States to supply vehicle recall safety notices.
Under the new program, recall messages will be given to Maryland vehicle owners and lessees alike through their renewal notices. Those notices will urge them to take action on open safety recalls. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) supplied Maryland with $222,300 to support the program.
“Recalls are serious,” U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao said. “Recall repairs are completely free to the consumer. This first-in-the-nation grant will serve as an example to the rest of the country as we continue to work across government to reach consumers in new and creative ways with potentially life-saving information about their vehicles.”
The program begins immediately. Any open recall information will be provided on both mailed and emailed registrations alike. The information provided does not require residents to follow up on it, though–they can still renew regardless of addressing the indicated recalls. MDOT MVA partnered with Cox Automotive, Inc., a digital marketing, financial, retail and wholesale automotive solutions provider, to address the recall information.
“Including vehicle recall information with the registration renewal is an innovative way to give consumers visibility to this important information,” Mark O’Neil, Chief Operating Officer of Cox Automotive, said. “While recalls are an unfortunate part of vehicle ownership, we are passionate about making it easier for consumers to access information while keeping our roads safer.”
This story, by Chris Galford, first appeared on transportationtodaynews.com
