New vehicle technology such as automated braking systems can improve safety, but evidence from crashes involving partially automated driving systems and industry research suggest they are less promising, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday. The NTSB plans to recommend ways to improve partially automated systems, which allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel, following its investigation into two fatal crashes involving Ford’s Blue Cruise system in 2024. The crashes in Texas and Pennsylvania killed three people when the Ford Mustang Mach-E cars slammed into stopped vehicles. “These systems function primarily as convenience features rather than safety enhancements,” NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy said at the outset of a hearing on its investigation. One of the challenges for the auto industry in developing systems that take on more driving functions has been how to ensure drivers stay alert. NTSB members said the evidence is clear that drivers using these systems are more likely to shift their focus away from the road. Currently, there are no clear U.S. government standards for the systems, so each automaker’s version of this technology can vary greatly, said Michael Graham, NTSB vice chair. Ford and other automakers emphasize that partially automated driving systems are not designed to replace the human drivers sitting behind the wheel, who have to be ready to take control at any time. The NTSB, which previously investigated a number crashes involving similar systems, including Tesla’s autopilot system, is examining the effectiveness of these systems and how well they monitor driver engagement. Missy Cummings, a professor of engineering and computing at George Mason University, told The Associated Press on Monday that these crashes highlight some of the dangers of partially autonomous driving systems that allow people to disengage. "Allowing people to take their hands off the wheel will