Touch screens are increasingly replacing traditional buttons and switches in vehicles, and this shift can come with safety trade-offs. Many modern dashboards feature little to no physical controls, placing more reliance on on‑screen menus and gestures.
Research indicates that button feedback reduces mistakes. Physical controls are generally more intuitive and faster to use, which can translate into quicker, more reliable operation while driving.
Operating a touchscreen while behind the wheel is not as straightforward as pressing a button. With a tactile control, the driver can confirm the desired function by feel, often without looking away from the road. Screens require visual attention to ensure the correct menu or function is selected, which can momentarily take focus away from driving.
The British safety study by the Road Safety Institute TRL highlighted that engaging with a car touchscreen can slow reaction time by a notable margin. In comparative terms, a mobile phone screen adds more delay than a traditional push‑button interface, suggesting that certain forms of input may pose fewer distraction risks than others, depending on how they are used.
In a German survey, 37 percent of drivers preferred buttons, levers, and sliders for controlling their vehicle. About 22 percent felt a mixed approach works best, 16 percent favored a touchscreen, and 10 percent preferred primarily voice control for car functions. A common concern about sensor‑based systems is the potential for errors during use, which can affect safety and ease of operation.
- Driving safety and control are frequently discussed in automotive media
Source: Auto Zeitung