A large touchscreen in a modern car may look sleek and luxurious, but safety experts are warning that it could pose a serious risk to drivers.
Researchers say interacting with in-car touchscreen systems to change music, adjust air conditioning, or control other basic functions can be more dangerous than using a mobile phone while driving. Studies indicate that drivers’ reaction times can worsen by more than 50 per cent when using touchscreens, compared with a 35 per cent increase when texting and a 46 per cent increase when making phone calls.
The findings have sparked growing calls from safety specialists to reduce reliance on digital interfaces and bring back traditional dashboards with physical buttons and knobs.
Experts warn that touchscreen systems often require drivers to take their eyes off the road for extended periods to navigate menus, even for essential functions such as windscreen wipers or temperature controls. While screens are useful for navigation and reversing cameras, critics argue that placing core driving controls within touchscreen menus creates unnecessary danger.
Dr Milad Haghani, a road safety expert from the University of Melbourne, described touchscreen systems as a “dangerous combination” that creates significant levels of driver distraction.
Car safety regulations have traditionally focused on protecting occupants during crashes rather than preventing accidents in the first place. However, human error remains a major factor in most collisions, and experts warn that increasingly complex vehicle interiors are contributing to the problem.
Distraction is generally classified into three types: visual, manual, and cognitive. Drivers may take their eyes off the road, their hands off the wheel, or their attention away from driving — or experience all three at once. According to Dr Haghani, touchscreen systems combine all these distractions by requiring drivers to look at the screen, physically interact with it, and mentally process menu options.
A 2020 study by independent transport research organisation TRL found that drivers using touchscreen systems such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto experienced significantly slower reaction times compared with those using voice controls. At motorway speeds, these delays translated into vehicles travelling several extra car lengths before stopping. The study also found declines in lane-keeping ability and overall driving performance.
In some cases, the impact of touchscreen use was found to be comparable to, or worse than, texting while driving.
By contrast, traditional buttons and knobs are considered safer because they can be operated using muscle memory without requiring drivers to look away from the road. Physical controls also provide tactile feedback, reducing the need for sustained visual attention.
While large in-car displays remain useful for functions that do not require frequent adjustment during driving, such as navigation, experts argue that essential controls should always be accessible via physical buttons.
Reflecting these concerns, ANCAP Safety, which assesses vehicle safety in Australia and New Zealand, has announced that from 2026 it will encourage manufacturers to reintroduce physical buttons for key driving functions.
Dr Haghani said drivers should always have the option to adjust vital controls such as temperature, windscreen wipers, and audio volume without relying solely on touchscreens.
“Drivers must be given options,” he said, adding that manufacturers should ensure essential functions can be accessed easily and safely while driving.
Tesla has been approached for comment.
