WASHINGTON, D.C. — Consumers now have a new way to find out about the latest vehicle recalls — automatically. A free service offered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sends the latest information on recalls via email or RSS feeds, or by messages sent to mobile phones or PDAs.

Simply visit www.safercar.gov and click on the links "Email recall notifications" or "RSS feeds for recalls." According to NHTSA Spokesperson Karen Aldana, the new service is a continuation of a notification system first introduced this past March, which included automated notifications on child seat and tire recalls.

"It is extremely important that people are aware of recalls and act quickly to get their vehicles repaired," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters in a statement. "When it comes down to it, ignoring a recall means ignoring a safety defect that could put you and your family at risk."