As touchscreen entertainment systems dominate current car interiors, their clean design and user-friendliness are selling points. Their convenience raises concerns about their impact on driver attentiveness.
ARSTechnica, EuroNCAP, and automobile safety testing organization found that OEMs overuse central touchscreens to manage most functionality. Drivers must look away from the road, increasing distraction risk. Touchscreens while driving might confuse drivers and increase accident risk.
This growing safety risk is soon going to be incorporated into standards for evaluating automobiles in the event of a crash. Euro NCAP, the European New Car Assessment Programme, has dropped hints regarding moderate changes by the year 2026.
The upcoming 2026 Euro NCAP evaluations will encourage manufacturers to implement user-friendly, distinct physical controls for essential tasks, according to Euro NCAP director of strategy Matthew Avery.
he goal of this strategy is to encourage safer driving practices by reducing the amount of time that drivers have to take their eyes off the road.
Due to its non-governmental status, the Euro NCAP is unable to mandate the implementation of physical controls for mission-critical operations.
Nevertheless, manufacturers are highly motivated to get a five-star safety certification from Euro NCAP because of the substantial influence it wields in the market.
With a 5-star rating from EuroNCAP to back it up, Chinese EV producer BYD has been touting the safety standards of its newly introduced Seal electric saloon.
One of Euro NCAP's main goals is to encourage the use of tactile controls in vehicles so that drivers are less likely to be distracted. The market is swayed by a Euro NCAP safety rating of five stars.
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