The NTSB Investigates Ford BlueCruise’s Role in a Fatal Mustang Mach-E Crash

Overview

An accident that occurred in February on Interstate 10 in San Antonio, Texas, involving a Ford Mustang Mach-E and a Honda CR-V, has piqued the interest of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The focus of the investigation is on Ford’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), BlueCruise.

The Accident

The crash took place on February 24, with the Ford driver reporting that the Honda CR-V was stationary in the middle lane without its lights on. The collision resulted in the death of the Honda driver, while the occupant of the Mustang Mach-E escaped with minor injuries.

NTSB Investigation

The NTSB spokesperson mentioned that the agency is looking into the crash due to its interest in advanced driver assistance systems and how drivers interact with such technologies. A team of investigators will examine the wreckage and gather information about the sequence of events leading to the collision.

Ford’s Response

Ford expressed its condolences to those affected by the crash and assured full cooperation with the investigation. The company promptly reported the incident to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) upon learning about it.

BlueCruise System

BlueCruise is Ford’s ADAS program that allows drivers to momentarily take their hands off the wheel under specific conditions. However, the Level 2 autonomous system mandates that drivers maintain visual contact with the road at all times.

Industry Ratings

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently rated 11 similar ADAS features poorly, citing a lack of evidence to support their effectiveness in enhancing road safety. Both NTSB and NHTSA have previously investigated crashes involving level 2 autonomous systems, including Tesla’s “Autopilot” feature.