(Los Angeles, CA, Thursday, October 18, 2018) – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers, and October is the most dangerous month for crashes. These two statistics are particularly alarming because of the more than 1.7 million recalled Takata airbags on the road in California, which can rupture in a crash and cause serious injury or death to the driver and passenger.

National Teen Driver Safety Week is happening October 21 through October 27, 2018 and local Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram dealers want to ensure teens are not driving with these dangerous defective airbags.

Chris Freeman from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, explains the urgency of these airbag recalls.

SOUNDBITE #1:

WE’RE URGING ALL CALIFORNIA DRIVERS, INCLUDING TEENS AND PARENTS, TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY TO SEE IF THEIR VEHICLE HAS A DANGEROUS DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. IF YOUR VEHICLE DOES HAVE AN AIRBAG RECALL YOU SHOULD CALL YOUR DEALER IMMEDIATELY TO SCHEDULE A FREE REPAIR. LOCAL CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP, AND RAM DEALERS HAVE PARTS IN STOCK, AND MANY ARE OPEN EXTENDED HOURS AND PROVIDE COMPLIMENTARY TRANSPORTATION. REPAIRS ARE FREE AND AIRBAGS CAN BE REPAIRED IN MOST CASES IN LESS THAN AN HOUR.

SOUNDBITE #2:

YOU CAN CHECK YOUR VEHICLE FOR AN AIRBAG RECALL IN THREE EASY STEPS: FIRST, LOCATE THE VEHICLE’S SEVENTEEN-CHARACTER VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WHICH IS FOUND ON THE DRIVER’S SIDE DASHBOARD BY THE WINDSHIELD AND ON MOST VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND INSURANCE DOCUMENTS. SECOND, ENTER YOUR VIN INTO CHECK-TO-PROTECT-DOT-ORG TO SEE IF YOU HAVE A RECALL. AND THIRD, IF YOU DO HAVE AN AIRBAG RECALL, CALL YOUR DEALER TODAY TO SCHEDULE A FREE REPAIR.

To see if your vehicle has an open airbag recall, visit CheckToProtect.org.