Hey there, fellow drivers! Let's take a cruise through the world of car technology and explore why some experts are advocating for a return to good old-fashioned buttons in our vehicles.
In recent years, touch screens resembling iPads have become the norm in cars, offering a sleek and modern way to control various features. But here's the catch: these fancy touch screens might be causing more distractions for drivers, according to studies. And now, a major European safety monitor is taking action by requiring carmakers to bring back physical buttons and knobs for essential driving functions if they want top safety ratings for their vehicles.
Starting in 2026, the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) will only give its highest safety rating to new cars that use traditional buttons and levers for things like indicators, hazard lights, and more. This move is aimed at reducing the time drivers spend with their eyes off the road, ultimately promoting safer driving.
But why did touch screens take over in the first place? Well, they've become pretty much standard in new cars, with almost all vehicles released after 2023 featuring at least one touch screen. These touch screens, once reserved for leisure activities like playing music or making calls, are now being used for important driving tasks, making things more complicated for drivers.
Tasks that used to be as simple as pressing a button or turning a knob now require navigating through multiple screens, taking up more time and attention. This shift to touch screens was driven by factors like saving space in the car's interior, offering more advanced features, and even reducing manufacturing costs for carmakers.
However, there's growing concern about the safety of these touch screens. Studies have shown that using infotainment systems while driving can distract drivers for up to 40 seconds, increasing the risk of accidents. Distracted driving, including looking at screens, accounted for 8% of all traffic fatalities in the US in 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
To address these safety concerns, the NCAP's new requirements aim to bring back physical controls for critical driving functions. While these requirements are not legally mandated, they serve as a motivator for carmakers to prioritize safety and reconsider their reliance on touch screens.
Some carmakers are already responding to what's being called "screen fatigue" among consumers. Brands like Hyundai and Nissan are emphasizing physical controls like buttons and knobs in their newer models, offering a mix of screens and traditional controls for a simpler driving experience.