The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently conducting an investigation into a fatal crash in San Antonio, Texas, involving a Ford electric vehicle that may have been using a partially automated driving system. The crash occurred on February 24 on Interstate 10, resulting in the death of a 56-year-old driver of a Honda CR-V. Preliminary information suggests that a Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV equipped with the company’s partially automated driving system rear-ended the Honda that was stopped in one of the highway lanes.
According to reports, the Mach-E driver claimed that the Honda was stationary in the middle lane without any lights on prior to the collision around 9:50 p.m. The NTSB has expressed interest in investigating this fatal crash to better understand advanced driver assistance systems and the interactions between vehicle operators and these technologies. Ford’s Blue Cruise system, which was in use during the crash, allows drivers to relinquish control of steering, braking, and acceleration on highways. However, the system is not fully autonomous and still requires drivers to remain attentive to the road.
In response to the incident, the NTSB is sending a team of investigators to San Antonio to examine the wreckage, gather information about the crash scene, and analyze the events leading up to the collision. A preliminary report is anticipated to be released within 30 days. Ford has also issued a statement indicating that they are conducting their own investigation into the crash. The company has extended their condolences to those affected and has reported the incident to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Both the NHTSA and the NTSB have previously investigated multiple crashes involving partially automated driving systems, with many of these incidents involving Tesla’s Autopilot system. Through past investigations, the NTSB has sought to understand how these partially automated systems operate and the potential impact of human interaction on their functionality. As the automotive industry continues to develop and implement advanced driver assistance technologies, it is essential for regulatory bodies to conduct thorough investigations into incidents involving these systems to ensure the safety of road users.
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