Touchscreens in Cars Are Proven Dangerous—Here’s the Science
Recent research corroborates the long-held belief of safety experts: touchscreen-controlled vehicles pose a significantly higher risk to drivers and passengers compared to traditional button-operated cars. Numerous independent studies have demonstrated that automotive touchscreens can increase driver reaction times by up to 57%, necessitating extended periods of eye-off-the-road distractions. Here’s why Touchscreens in Cars Are Proven Dangerous.
The evidence has become so compelling that Euro NCAP, Europe’s leading automotive safety organization, will mandate the inclusion of physical controls for critical functions starting in 2026. This decision marks a significant regulatory challenge to the automotive industry’s predominant touchscreen-first design philosophy.
The Hard Data: Why Touchscreens in Cars Are Proven Dangerous
Reaction Time Studies Reveal Alarming Results
MIT and University of Utah research demonstrates that touchscreen interaction slows driver reaction speeds significantly, with some studies showing reaction time increases of up to 57% when drivers engage with dashboard-mounted touchscreens. The most concerning finding: touchscreens can result in drivers taking their eyes off the road for between 5 and 40 seconds—an eternity in highway driving conditions.
Swedish Testing Exposes Performance Gap
A comprehensive study by Swedish automotive magazine Vi Bilägare found that touchscreen vehicles require up to four times longer to perform basic functions than their button-equipped counterparts. This creates what safety experts now term “a distracted driving crisis that automakers refuse to acknowledge.”
The Cognitive Load Problem
Research consistently shows that using touchscreens while driving impairs critical cognitive functions like reaction time and takes drivers’ eyes off the road for longer periods compared to traditional controls. Unlike physical buttons that provide tactile feedback, touchscreens require visual confirmation for every interaction, fundamentally changing how drivers must divide their attention.
Euro NCAP Takes Action: Physical Controls Mandated by 2026
The New Safety Requirements
Beginning in 2026, the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) will implement new testing criteria requiring vehicles to have physical controls for basic functions in order to receive a five-star safety rating. The essential functions that must have physical controls include turn indicators, hazard warning lights, windshield wipers, horn, and emergency call/SOS buttons.
Industry Impact and Response
Euro NCAP’s decision means automakers seeking the highest safety ratings will face point deductions if they rely solely on touchscreen controls for critical safety functions. This represents the first major regulatory challenge to the automotive industry’s decade-long trend toward touchscreen-dominated interiors.
While Euro NCAP doesn’t advocate for every function to have its dedicated button or switch, it specifically recommends physical controls for essential safety functions that drivers may need to access immediately in emergency situations.
The Science Behind the Danger
Visual Attention and Highway Safety
Highway safety research has long established that taking eyes off the road for more than 2 seconds significantly increases crash risk. With touchscreens potentially diverting attention for 5-40 seconds, even simple tasks like adjusting climate control or changing radio stations become major safety hazards.
Tactile Feedback vs. Visual Confirmation
Traditional automotive controls relied on tactile feedback—drivers could adjust radio volume or climate settings without looking away from the road. Touchscreens eliminate this crucial safety feature, requiring visual confirmation for every interaction and fundamentally changing the cognitive load of vehicle operation.
The Multiplier Effect
As researchers continue studying touchscreen risks, mounting evidence shows cars with touchscreens are measurably more dangerous than cars with traditional knobs and buttons. The safety implications extend beyond individual interactions to create cumulative distraction throughout the driving experience.
Current Industry Trends and Future Implications
The Human-Machine Interface Revolution
Euro NCAP’s new protocols include the first-ever evaluation of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI), examining accessible controls and their positioning in the vehicle cockpit. This marks a fundamental shift toward evidence-based automotive design rather than purely aesthetic considerations.
Manufacturer Adaptation Required
Starting January 2026, automakers seeking the highest Euro NCAP safety ratings must include physical controls for five critical functions: turn signals, hazard warning lights, horn, windshield wipers, and emergency call systems. This requirement will likely influence global automotive design trends.
Research-Driven Design Changes
Recent research by SINTEF and Nord University, conducted for Norway’s road safety council, provides additional evidence that in-car touchscreens are “extremely detrimental to driver attention”. Such findings are driving regulatory and industry responses worldwide.
Also read, Birmingham Man Arrested After Rock-Throwing Spree Hits 4 Cars.
Key Takeaways
- Reaction times increase by up to 57% when drivers interact with automotive touchscreens compared to physical controls
- Eye-off-road time extends to 5-40 seconds during touchscreen interactions, well beyond the 2-second safety threshold
- Four times longer task completion required for touchscreen vehicles versus traditional button-controlled cars
- Euro NCAP mandate begins 2026 requiring physical controls for critical safety functions to achieve 5-star ratings
- Five essential functions must have physical controls: turn signals, hazard lights, horn, wipers, and emergency systems
- Regulatory momentum building as safety organizations worldwide recognize touchscreen-related crash risks
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, studies suggest automotive touchscreens can be more dangerous than smartphones because they often require longer interaction times and lack the intuitive interface design of mobile devices. Unlike phones, car touchscreens frequently require multiple menu navigations for basic functions.
Euro NCAP mandates physical controls for five critical functions: turn signals, hazard warning lights, windshield wipers, horn operation, and emergency call (SOS/eCall) systems. These functions are considered too important for safety to rely solely on touchscreen access.
Research shows touchscreen interaction can increase driver reaction times by up to 57% compared to physical controls. More concerning, drivers may take their eyes off the road for 5-40 seconds during touchscreen tasks—far exceeding safe distraction limits.
No, touchscreens won’t be banned, but regulations now require physical backup controls for essential safety functions. The focus is on ensuring critical operations like emergency signals and wipers remain accessible through tactile controls that don’t require visual attention.
Euro NCAP’s new requirements begin in January 2026 for vehicles seeking 5-star safety ratings. While currently limited to Europe, these standards typically influence global automotive design trends and may be adopted by other markets.
Liam Taylor is a seasoned technology correspondent and staff writer at ReadBitz.com, where he delivers sharp, practical insights into the fast-moving world of consumer tech. With a dedicated focus on gadgets, smartphones, PCs, and accessories, Liam has become a trusted voice for readers who want to stay ahead of the curve on the latest launches, innovations, and best deals in the tech market.