The driver of a Mustang Mach-E who crashed right into a stationary automobile in Texas in February was utilizing Ford’s hands-free driver help system, BlueCruise, in response to knowledge obtained by the National Transportation Safety Board.
It’s the primary recognized fatality ensuing from a crash involving using BlueCruise, which Ford first introduced in 2021. The system permits drivers to take their palms off the wheel on pre-mapped highways, and makes use of eye-tracking to find out whether or not drivers are listening to the highway.
The NTSB’s announcement that BlueCruise was active in the course of the Texas crash comes simply sooner or later after the security board introduced it’s probing a second fatal crash close to Philadelphia the place Ford’s driver help system could have been active. Ford stated on the time that it reported the Texas crash to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and that it was “actively researching all accessible info.” The firm didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark Thursday.
That second crash additionally concerned the Ford impacting two stationary automobiles, elevating questions on whether or not the automaker’s driver help system has an analogous downside to what Tesla has handled for years with Autopilot. NHTSA has spent practically three years investigating greater than a dozen crashes the place Tesla drivers utilizing Autopilot have crashed into stationary emergency automobiles.
The February crash occurred simply exterior San Antonio. A 1999 Honda CR-V was stationary within the middle lane of Interstate 10 with no lights on at round 9:50PM CT, when the Mustang Mach-E crashed into the again of it. The Honda flipped over and wound up within the left lane. The security board stated Thursday that the Mustang driver “had been working the car in BlueCruise mode before the crash.” The 56-year-old driver of the Honda died after being transferred to the San Antonio Military Medical Center, in response to the police report, whereas the motive force of the Mustang sustained “minor accidents.” Police discovered no indicators of intoxication within the Mustang driver.
The NTSB launched on Thursday what’s referred to as a preliminary report, and continues to be investigating the crash. A spokesperson stated a closing report is more likely to be revealed inside 12 to 24 months. NHTSA can be probing the Texas crash, in response to The Wall Street Journal.
