Another reason to delay buying a new BimmerEurope Tells Automakers That Buttons and Knobs Are Safer Than Touchscreens
European regulators have told automakers to ditch the touchscreens in favor of knobs and buttons if they want to get a better safety rating in the continent.futurism.com
European regulators have told automakers to ditch the touchscreens in favor of knobs and buttons if they want to get a better safety rating.
As the Times reports, the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) is warning that as of January 2026, automakers will have to include physical controls to achieve a full five-star safety rating.
The independent safety body is sending a strong signal, highlighting just how complex center control touchscreens have become and how they may distract drivers, forcing them to look away for extended periods of time.
Research has already found that tactile buttons are safer — and much faster to use — while driving.
"The overuse of touchscreens is an industry-wide problem, with almost every vehicle-maker moving key controls onto central touchscreens," Euro NCAP director of strategic development Matthew Avery told the Times, "obliging drivers to take their eyes off the road and raising the risk of distraction crashes."
It will be interesting to see how, if at all, this affects Uncle Elon's decision to remove the turn signal stock in favour of buttons on the wheel. While still physical controls, this departure from what has been the standard since forever has the potential to be factored-in here. @Trav