Ford's Driver Assistance Was Being Used During Fatal Texas Accidents, Probe Reveals

U.S. safety regulators have revealed that two deadly incidents involving Ford Motor Company‘s F Mach-E were using the advanced driver assistance system “BlueCruise,” raising concerns about the safety of autonomous driving technologies.

What Happened: The U.S. safety regulators are probing two fatal crashes involving Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles that were using the BlueCruise advanced driver assistance system, Reuters reported on Friday.

The first incident occurred on Feb. 24 on Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio, Texas, where a Ford Mustang Mach-E struck a stationary Honda CR-V, resulting in the death of the Honda driver. The vehicle’s data confirmed BlueCruise was active prior to the crash.

A second crash on March 3 in Philadelphia involved a Ford Mach-E and two stationary cars. This incident, which may have also involved the advanced driver assistance system, led to two fatalities and significant traffic disruption on the I-95 interstate highway.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are investigating both crashes. A witness in the Texas crash reported seeing the Ford hit the Honda, which had no tail or hazard lights on, in her rearview mirror.

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Ford has been cooperative with the investigations, stating it is fully collaborating with both agencies to understand the details of the Mar. 3 crash.

The NHTSA has initiated special crash investigations into these incidents, part of its broader efforts to scrutinize emerging automotive technologies.

Why It Matters: Concerns over Ford’s advanced driving systems have escalated following the fatal Mustang Mach-E crash in San Antonio, Texas, prompting a federal probe by the NHTSA. This incident has cast a spotlight on the potential risks associated with autonomous driving technologies.

Despite these concerns, Ford has continued to innovate, recently announcing upgrades to the 2024 Mustang Mach-E, including improved charging times and a new rear motor, positioning it as a strong competitor in the electric vehicle market.

However, the company’s reputation may be affected by these recent events, as evidenced by a dip in Ford’s shares following the recall of 42,652 Bronco Sport & Escape vehicles over a separate issue, highlighting the challenges automakers face in ensuring the safety and reliability of their vehicles.

As of Thursday, Ford’s stock closed at $13.04, slightly down from the previous close by 0.15%. The stock has seen highs of $15.42 and lows of $9.63 over the past fifty-two weeks, with a volume of 38,383,117 on the closing date.

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Photo: Courtesy of the company