U.S. Safety Regulators Launch Probe into Ford Driver Assist Features Following Fatal Crash
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Monday the commencement of an investigation into a recent fatal crash involving a Ford Mustang Mach-E in San Antonio, Texas. Authorities suspect that an advanced driver assistance system may have been engaged at the time of the incident.
While driver assistance features are touted by automakers as tools to mitigate accidents, federal safety regulators express concerns over potential over-reliance on these features by drivers, which could contribute to certain accidents.
NHTSA’s investigation marks a departure from its previous focus on Tesla, as it has opened more than three dozen special crash inquiries since 2016 involving Tesla vehicles and their advanced driver assistance systems like Autopilot, resulting in 20 reported crash deaths. This incident represents NHTSA’s first special crash probe related to a Ford advanced system.
Typically, NHTSA initiates over 100 special crash investigations annually into emerging automotive technologies and other potential safety concerns. In a parallel move, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced its own investigation into the February 24 crash.
The NTSB cited its ongoing interest in advanced driver assistance systems and their interaction with vehicle operators as the rationale behind its investigation. Preliminary reports indicate that the Ford collided with the rear of a stationary Honda CR-V on Interstate Highway 10. According to a San Antonio police report, the Ford was operating with “partial automation” engaged during the collision.
Tragically, the driver of the Honda CR-V, identified as 56-year-old Jeffrey Allen Johnson from Austin, succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash.
Ford has defended its BlueCruise system as an advanced hands-free driving technology operational on 97% of highways in the United States and Canada, excluding intersections and traffic signal-equipped areas.
A spokesperson from Ford emphasized the company’s commitment to safety, stating that they promptly reported the incident to NHTSA and are actively investigating all available information. They assured full cooperation with any ensuing investigations.
In recent years, the NTSB has initiated multiple probes into advanced driver assistance systems, including Tesla’s Autopilot and its “Full Self Driving” (FSD) technology.
