WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new automated alert system from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides users with instant notification of vehicle safety recalls.

The recall alerts can be received free of charge via e-mail or RSS feeds.

The system allows users to sign up specifically for school bus recalls. NHTSA said that it receives an average of 35 school bus recalls per year.

“It is extremely important that people are aware of recalls and act quickly to get their vehicles repaired,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said.

David Kelly, acting administrator of NHTSA, noted that the new recall notification system is an expansion of the agency's consumer safety communications program. Earlier this year, the agency introduced automated recall alerts for child safety seats and tires.

To sign up for NHTSA's recall alerts, go to www.safercar.gov and click on “E-mail recall notifications.”