We’re not the only ones frequently having a word or two about modern touchscreens. These days, we’re seeing more and more of these getting bigger with basic functions buried deep in sub menus.
As it turns out, the folks from the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) have something to say about it too: They’re not too happy about it, either.
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Per the organization’s director of strategic development Matthew Avery, these complex infotainment touchscreens have become a safety concern.
"The overuse of touchscreens is an industry-wide problem, with almost every vehicle-maker moving key controls onto central touchscreens, obliging drivers to take their eyes off the road and raising the risk of distraction crashes,” said Avery. That’s why Euro NCAP will soon penalize automakers that stick certain basic controls into the screen. These include the turn signals, hazard lights, horn, wipers, and per the requirement of European Union, the emergency call.
“New Euro NCAP tests due in 2026 will encourage manufacturers to use separate, physical controls for basic functions in an intuitive manner, limiting eyes-off-road time and therefore promoting safer driving,” said Avery. In other words, good ol’ buttons, knobs, and dials are the solution to distracting infotainment systems.
That said, Euro NCAP doesn’t have the authority to mandate physical buttons in cars, but we’re certain that automakers want to get the organization’s five star safety blessing. Euro NCAP will also expand the list of features that require ‘traditional controls’ by 2026 for car companies to achieve the maximum rating.
This initiative by Euro NCAP could see simpler and less distracting infotainment controls and functions over the coming years. While we’ve become used to screens in our daily lives, we wouldn’t want our eyes glued to one while trying to adjust the air-conditioning in a moving vehicle. The longer you look away from the road, the chances of an accident increases dramatically, a fact that automakers are aware of as well.
Besides, the ‘iPad glued to the dashboard’ look isn’t something all of us would like in our cars.
