The National Transportation Safety Board on Wednesday recommended changes to Ford Motor Co.'s hands-free BlueCruise automated driving system and stronger federal requirements on such technology in response to two fatal crashes.

The recommendations come amid increased scrutiny of software-controlled driving technologies, including federal investigations into collisions, studies that indicate drivers' minds can disengage while using Level 2 hands-free driving systems and the Trump administration's efforts to establish a national framework for autonomous vehicles. Meanwhile, automakers are pushing forward on launching eyes-off-the-road driving systems.

Following investigations, the five-member NTSB determined overreliance by drivers on BlueCruise contributed to both crashes that killed three people in 2024. It recommended standards for data collection during accidents, changes to BlueCruise that prevent drivers from turning off automated braking while it's activated and exceeding speed limits, and improved driver monitoring technology.

“This investigation highlights the urgent need for stronger safety standards and better oversight of automated driving systems,” NTSB chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said in a statement. “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.”

A Ford in February 2024 in San Antonio, Texas, traveling in the center lane on an interstate struck a stationary Honda CR-V, killing the driver. Another Ford in March 2024 in Philadelphia traveling in the left lane of an interstate hit a stationary Hyundai Elantra and Troyota Prius, causing them to collide with a moving Toyota Corolla. Drivers of the Elantra and Prius were killed. In both crashes, there was no driver-applied or system-initiated braking or steering recorded in the moments before impact.

"Ford remains committed to safety and appreciates the NTSB’s thorough investigation, which found no quality defects or equipment failures in BlueCruise," Ford spokesperson Amy Mast said in a statement. "While alcohol impairment was a key factor in these incidents, we will take the NTSB’s recommendations under serious consideration as we continue to evolve our driver-assist technologies and encourage responsible road behavior."

The NTSB found manufacturers lack requirements to collect information needed to comply with the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration’s general order requiring them to report crashes involving automated driving technology, which makes data and information on such incidents inaccessible to law enforcement and safety groups.

The board also found BlueCruise detected ineffectively driver distraction and disengagement. It didn't register off-road glances and failed to distinguish between attention to the road and attention to objects blocking visibility, such as cell phones. Drivers also could turn off Ford's automatic emergency braking system when using BlueCruise and set intelligent adaptive cruise control up to 20 mph above the speed limit, which the board said increases the risk of serious harm in a crash.

Functionality of automated emergency braking and intelligent adaptive cruise control weren't found to be a factor in either accident, according to Ford. AEB is standard on all vehicles equipped with BlueCruise, and it must be enabled to use it on version 1.4 or later. The feature also automatically becomes enabled again if disabled when the vehicle turns on again.

Drivers also can't use BlueCruise past speeds of 80 mph, and Ford notes it always is the driver's responsibility to adjust speeds to road conditions and operate the vehicle safely.

NTSB's findings resulted in recommendations, but NHTSA, which does have enforcement power, in January launched an investigation into the crashes. That probe is ongoing.

Ford, meanwhile, is moving forward on development of a Level 3 eyes-free driving system that it plans to launch in 2028.

NHTSA also is investigating Tesla Inc.'s Full Self-Driving feature's performance in low-visibility conditions following multiple crashes, including a fatality. There have been prior recalls over Teslas disregarding traffic laws and investigations into Autopilot crashing into emergency vehicles.

More: Tesla’s Austin robotaxis report 14 crashes in first eight months

General Motors Co. pulled its robotaxi service Cruise after it struck a pedestrian in 2023, and it since has dissolved the subsidiary, integrating teams internally to develop its Super Cruise automated driving system. GM, too, expects to launch an eyes-free driving system in 2028.

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