European car safety body is coming for touchscreens. The European New Car Assessment Programme mandates that key controls need physical buttons or switches - eviltoast

Carmakers are equipping their latest models with fancy touchscreens, but that could cause problems with Europe’s largest car safety authority.

The European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) is revamping its rating system starting Jan. 1, 2026 to mandate that five of a car’s primary controls — its horn, windshield wipers, turn signals, hazard warning lights and SOS features — will need physical buttons or switches.

Car models will have to comply to get NCAP’s coveted five-star rating. The scheme is voluntary but is heeded by most automakers because it’s closely monitored by consumers.

Belgium-based NCAP says that purely digital controls are a potential safety issue.

  • Neuromancer@lemm.ee
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    7 months ago

    Touch screens are not “bad”. They’re great for things like gps. They’re just bad for driving functions.

    • ninjan@lemmy.mildgrim.com
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      7 months ago

      Was still talking about the safety stuff here. Like turn signals and hazard lights and the stuff the person above wanted added in climate controls etc

      • Neuromancer@lemm.ee
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        7 months ago

        Then we agree. Anything driving related shouldn’t be in the touchscreen. Both my cars have touch screens my Tesla you have to use it for almost everything.

        The Audi just for non-driving functions.

        The Tesla use to be better but they changed it. It’s harder to do anything on it now.