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DMV Announces Second Annual Vehicle Safety Week In New York State

Written by Long Island News & PR  |  23. May 2018

New York, NY - May 23, 2018 - The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today kicked off its second annual Vehicle Safety Week in New York State, reminding motorists to take the necessary steps now to make sure their cars are safe for the summer driving season.  For the first time ever, DMV has launched a new system that will alert motorists to outstanding recalls when their vehicles are brought in for their annual inspections.
 
“Every driver has a right to know when there is a recall associated with their vehicle, and our new alert system will provide vehicle owners yet another opportunity to access that important information,” said DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner Terri Egan. “We want to make sure every driver has the information they need to get the necessary repairs. It is just one of many customer courtesies the DMV offers to provide the best service possible to New York’s drivers. As the travel season ramps up, I encourage all motorists to watch for recalls and keep up on regular maintenance to help ensure a smooth road trip.”
 
Memorial Day weekend is considered the unofficial start of summer as millions of families hit the road. This week is the perfect time to check things like fluids, tire pressure, battery life, and windshield wipers to make sure vehicles are ready for summer travel.
 
DMV has also been working to connect its vehicle inspection system to a national recall alert system to provide Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)-based recall information on Vehicle Inspection Receipts.  The system will automatically route the VIN to a central data hub maintained by various automobile manufacturers to check for recalls issued on the customer’s specific vehicle.  If a recall is found, detailed, up-to-date recall information will appear on the inspection receipt provided to each motorist at the conclusion of the annual inspection.
 
The new system will provide the manufacturer’s descriptions of any recall, the risk of ignoring it, and how to fix it.  These descriptions are being shared by DMV as a customer courtesy so that motorists can learn about recalls and address them at an authorized dealer repair center. 
 
DMV worked with New York State automobile dealers’ associations, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) trades associations and DMV’s inspection system vendor to be able to provide this information to the public. It is currently available to certain customers through a pilot program. DVM plans to extend this service statewide. 
 
Making sure a car is road ready is critically important and can save lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are 11,000 crashes every year as a result of faulty tires alone. NHTSA estimates 733 people died in car crashes in 2016 where tire malfunction was a contributing factor.
 
In hot weather, motorists are urged to be certain their cooling systems are working well to avoid overheating both for the car itself and for the driver and passengers. Make sure your windshield wipers are not worn and that you have enough wiper fluid to keep your windshield clean.
 
It is also recommended that New Yorkers keep a summer travel safety kit in their car with windshield wiper fluid, jumper cables, a tire pressure gauge, hazard road markers, a flashlight, phone charger, and water and snacks for passengers in case you are stranded. When checking that the tires on the car are properly inflated, make sure the spare tire is also in good condition in case you need it.
 
Motorists can also check safercar.gov for information on recalls that could affect their vehicles to ensure all fixes are complete before taking to the road. You can even sign up for alerts for any future recalls that might affect your car, SUV, or pickup truck. DMV and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee produced a video highlighting the importance of the website in finding important recall information.
 

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