NTSB says ‘automation overreliance’ contributed to fatal SUV crashes in 2024 | CNN

The National Transportation Safety Board determined that “drivers’ overreliance” on automated systems were contributing factors to two fatal accidents in 2024. The investigation found that on separate highways, in different cities, Mustang Mach-E SUVs, with Ford’s BlueCruise technology, drove into stationary vehicles, highlighting “several gaps in safety and oversight of partial automation systems.” In a hearing Tuesday, the NTSB’s found problems in how Ford implemented the technology and federal regulations for these types of systems which are being offered by an increasing number of car companies. “This investigation highlights the urgent need for stronger safety standards and better oversight of automated driving systems,” said Jennifer Homendy, NTSB chair in a news release. “Manufacturers and federal regulators must ensure these technologies are designed, monitored and implemented in ways that keep all our road users safe. We cannot take a ‘hands off’ approach to hands-free driving technology. Lives depend on it.” According to the NTSB, there are no federal requirements for the systems to record data during crashes, which often means manufacturers canâ