A new car safety app that will provide real-time vehicle safety information to consumers from NHTSA’s SaferCar.gov site has been released by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The new car safety app is available on iPhones and iPod touches and can be downloaded from i. NHTSA’s car safety app allows users to search its 5-Star Safety Ratings for vehicles by make and model, locate car seat installation help, file a vehicle safety complaint, find recall information and subscribe to automatic notices about vehicle recalls.
NHTSA is also providing access to the site for app developers who may be interested in integrating the information on to other sites. By providing access through a Application Programming Interface (API), NHTSA hopes that the car safety information that it’s making available will go viral, spreading to as many sources a possible.
The SaferCar app, according to NHTSA, includes a number of features that will help consumers stay on top of safety developments and also help them to make the best possible decisions when it comes to car safety:
- 5-Star Safety Ratings: Consumers considering vehicle purchases can look up crash test ratings and compare them across different makes and models.
- Recalls and Complaints: App users can stay on top of safety issues for vehicles they already own. Consumers can register their vehicles to be notified by NHTSA if a safety issue is discovered. The app also makes it simple to submit complaints to NHTSA regarding possible safety problems with a particular vehicle.
- Help Installing Child Seats: The app helps consumers ensure their most precious passengers ride safe. Users can quickly get driving directions to the nearest child seat inspection station and get assistance to properly install their car seats and boosters.
- Safety Headlines and Alerts: App users can receive important news and information from NHTSA, as well as recall notices and push notices on their recorded vehicles.
This is just the first stage in the development of the Safercar app. Development of an Android app is now underway. In the meantime, anyone with an interest in keeping up with developments in car safety can access the information at http://www.safercar.gov.