The Nationwide Freeway and Trafic Security Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driver help system within the wake of two deadly crashes. The company famous a number of commonalities between the crashes. They each have concerned Mustang Mach-Es with BlueCruise energetic, and so they each occurred at night time with the Fords colliding with stationary automobiles within the lane they had been touring in.
Solely one of many studies reveals up in NHTSA’s desk of incidents, at the very least for the time being. That crash happened in San Antonio, Texas, on a three-lane freeway with a 70-mph velocity restrict. The Mach-E rear-ended a automotive that was stationary within the center lane with the lights off. The motive force of the automotive that was rear-ended died from the crash.
It’s value noting that BlueCruise is a hands-free driving help that requires the motive force to nonetheless be attentive and able to take over if wanted, similar to techniques from GM and others. Moreover, there is no such thing as a recall or advisory in impact for Ford automobiles outfitted with any degree of BlueCruise as of but, because the investigation was solely opened final week. So house owners need not do something or keep away from utilizing BlueCruise for the time being.
That is additionally pretty much as good a time as any, although, to remind customers of all hands-free driver help techniques from all producers that you just nonetheless have to concentrate and be prepared in case of emergency. The identical goes for much less superior driver help techniques comparable to adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go and lane-keeping features.