Touchscreens in cars replace buttons, but are they making driving more dangerous? Experts and drivers weigh in on this growing concern.
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Are Car Touchscreens Making Driving More Dangerous?
Car manufacturers are replacing traditional buttons and dials with large touchscreens in the race for high-tech innovation.
While this may look modern, drivers and safety experts are raising alarms—arguing that these sleek digital interfaces are more distracting and dangerous than the physical controls they replace.
A Growing Safety Concern
For decades, adjusting a car’s temperature or volume was as simple as turning a knob.
Today, most new vehicles require drivers to navigate multiple touchscreen menus for even essential functions.
A recent study by Vi Bilägare, a Swedish automotive magazine, found that drivers took four times longer to adjust settings on touchscreens compared to physical buttons.
Even a two-second distraction at highway speeds means traveling the length of a football field without looking at the road.
“It is ridiculous,” says Mark Peterson, a Chicago commuter.
“I must take my eyes off the road just to change the AC. A simple knob would be much safer.”
Are Automakers Ignoring Safety?
Manufacturers argue that touchscreens integrate advanced features, voice commands, and intelligent automation, reducing the need for physical controls.
However, many drivers report that voice assistants misinterpret commands, forcing them to interact with the screen manually.
“I tried using voice control to change the music,” says Texas driver Susan Rodriguez.
“It kept switching stations. I finally gave up and did it myself.”
Meanwhile, safety regulators are taking notice.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warns that tactile feedback is crucial for minimizing distractions, and some experts believe fully digital controls may violate safety standards.
Will Buttons Make a Comeback?
Automakers continue prioritizing minimalist, screen-heavy designs despite the backlash, with brands like Tesla and Volkswagen leading the charge.
However, some companies—like Porsche and Mazda—listen to drivers by keeping physical buttons for essential functions.
“We may see a hybrid approach,” says auto analyst Brian Callahan.
“Touchscreens for complex features but physical controls for safety-critical functions.”
Until then, drivers looking for traditional buttons must choose carefully or hold onto their older cars while they still can.
What is Your Take?
Do you prefer touchscreens or physical buttons in cars? Should automakers rethink their designs? Let us know in the comments! 🚗💬
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