In Europe, auto safety experts are moving toward criticising vehicles that rely heavily on screens rather than tangible controls. This shift is reflected in updates discussed by The Times, quoting Matthew Avery, the director of development at Euro NCAP, the independent body responsible for crash-testing and safety ratings. The message is clear: more screens do not automatically translate into safer cars, and the real-world usability of a vehicle matters when it comes to protecting occupants on the road.
Starting January 2026, Euro NCAP plans to introduce a new protocol for evaluating how well a car protects its occupants and other road users. A central element of this protocol will be the presence of physical control buttons. Avery notes that the market trend toward increasing touchscreen interfaces across a wide range of vehicle functions has become a concern within the industry. Screens can draw drivers’ attention away from the driving task and potentially raise the risk of incidents, especially when quick, reliable access to controls is essential in moments of need.
The association intends to push manufacturers toward reinstating basic, learnable physical controls for essential operations. At minimum, basic signaling and alert functions should be readily accessible through physical inputs. Specific examples highlighted include the left and right turn signals, the emergency warning light switch, audible signaling controls, and a dedicated switch for the eCall system, the European counterpart to the ERA-GLONASS emergency response framework. Vehicles lacking these tangible elements may see reduced scores, reflecting concerns about usability and response times in critical situations.
In related discussions, observers have raised questions about how driver behavior and vehicle design intersect, including comparisons to broader driver safety challenges in various regions. While the focus here is on how Euro NCAP assesses the balance between digital interfaces and physical controls, the overarching aim remains clear: safer on-road performance depends on intuitive, reliable control methods that support, rather than distract from, the driving task. The topic continues to spark conversations about best practices in design, testing, and regulation for modern cars, underscoring a shared commitment to reducing accidents and saving lives across Europe and beyond.