US road safety investigators have found Ford’s semi-autonomous driving software was engaged when a Mustang Mach-E crashed into the back of another vehicle, resulting in the death of that car’s driver.
Marketed as BlueCruise, Ford claims the system can accelerate, stop and change lanes automatically on 97 per cent of all highways in the US and Canada, without the driver needing to touch the steering wheel.
It’s similar to Tesla’s controversial Full Self-Driving software, though Ford’s system can only be used on predesignated highways, whereas FSD can now be enabled on any US road.
Last month, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened an investigation into a crash near San Antonio, Texas in which a Ford Mustang Mach-E drove into the back of a stationary Honda CR-V in traffic.
The Honda’s 56-year-old driver was killed as a result of the impact, and San Antonio police soon reported the Ford was being driven by “partial automation”.
The NTSB’s subsequent investigation has found this to be the case, saying the BlueCruise semi-autonomous driving system was engaged in the lead up to the fatal crash.
One witness to the incident told investigators the CR-V’s brake lights weren’t functioning, which caught them off guard and led them to swerve to avoid the stationary Honda. The Ford behind them didn’t deviate from its path.
The NTSB has subsequently opened a second investigation relating to Ford’s BlueCruise technology, following another fatal crash in which a Mustang Mach-E ran into the back of two vehicles in Philadelphia.
The aftermath of the Mustang Mach-E’s impact with the CR-V 
As with the San Antonio incident, the cars – a Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Prius – were stopped in traffic when the Ford struck them from behind. The drivers of both stationary cars were killed.
This crash is still under investigation, and Ford is assisting the NTSB.
Ford’s BlueCruise system isn’t available in Australia, as local regulations don’t permit the use of hands-free semi-autonomous driving systems.
The Blue Oval isn’t the only brand that is being investigated for issues with its semi-autonomous driving tech.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened more than 40 investigations since 2016 into crashes allegedly involving Teslas with their Autopilot system active.
Collectively, these crashes have resulted in 23 deaths.
