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.

  • Victor@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    7 months ago

    I can’t answer your question because I don’t know. But I take it maybe you mean that as a rhetorical question?

    Sounds very bad if true, which I have no doubt it is.