Federal safety regulators are looking into Ford’s hands-free driver assistance system, BlueCruise, following fatal crashes where the system was reportedly active. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation has confirmed that BlueCruise was in use during accidents in Texas and Pennsylvania.
BlueCruise, available on select Ford vehicles like the Mustang Mach-E and F-150s, is under scrutiny after these recent incidents. The National Transportation Safety Board has also opened an investigation into the Texas crash involving BlueCruise.
In response to the investigations, Ford is cooperating with NHTSA to provide support and information regarding the safety of the system. BlueCruise was introduced by Ford in 2021 and is currently only accessible on specific highways that have been pre-mapped, with driver monitoring to ensure focus stays on the road.
This inquiry comes on the heels of NHTSA concluding an investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot system, highlighting a safety gap between driver expectations and the system’s capabilities. While some have praised BlueCruise, the recent crashes and regulatory actions suggest potential concerns with advanced driver assistance systems.
As more details emerge from the investigations, consumers and industry experts will be closely monitoring the outcomes and any potential safety implications for BlueCruise and other similar systems. Stay tuned to MazMessenger for updates on this developing story.
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