This is what US traffic safety investigators found out Fords Semi-autonomous driving software was used when a Mustang Mach-E crashed into the rear of another vehicle, resulting in the death of the driver of that car.
Ford claims the system, marketed as BlueCruise, can automatically accelerate, stop and change lanes on 97 percent of highways in the U.S. and Canada without the driver having to touch the steering wheel.
It’s similar to Tesla’s controversial Full Self-Driving software, but Ford’s system can only be used on predetermined highways, while FSD can now be activated on any U.S. road.
Last month, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened an investigation into an accident near San Antonio, Texas, in which a Ford Mustang Mach-E plowed into the rear of a stationary Honda CR-V in traffic.
The 56-year-old driver of the Honda was killed in the impact, and San Antonio police soon reported that the Ford was being driven with “partial automation.”
The NTSB’s subsequent investigation concluded that this was the case and that the BlueCruise semi-autonomous driving system was activated leading up to the fatal accident.
A witness to the incident told investigators that the CR-V’s brake lights were not working, which surprised her and caused her to swerve to avoid the stationary Honda. The Ford behind them did not deviate from its path.
The NTSB has launched a second investigation into Ford’s BlueCruise technology following another fatal accident in Philadelphia in which a Mustang Mach-E plowed into the back of two vehicles.
-
The aftermath of the Mustang Mach-E’s collision with the CR-V -
Like the San Antonio incident, the cars – a Hyundai Elantra and a Toyota Prius – were stopped in traffic when the Ford struck them from behind. The drivers of both stationary cars were killed.
This crash remains under investigation and Ford is assisting the NTSB.
Ford’s BlueCruise system is not available in Australia because local regulations do not allow the use of hands-free, semi-autonomous driving systems.
The Blue Oval isn’t the only brand being investigated for issues with semi-autonomous driving technology.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened more than 40 investigations into crashes since 2016 that allegedly involved Teslas with the Autopilot system active.
In total, these accidents resulted in 23 deaths.
MORE: Everything about the Ford Mustang Mach-E