Car touchscreens could be more distracting than buttons, drivers warn
- Quotezone in partnership with Radio Times
Published: September 15, 2026 at 3:03 PM
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Almost half of motorists say touchscreens make driving more distracting – as safety experts call for a return to physical controls
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The increasingly large touchscreens appearing in modern cars could be making driving more distracting, according to almost half of UK motorists.
A new survey found that 47% of UK drivers believe touchscreen dashboards are more distracting than traditional physical buttons.
The research, from car insurance experts at our partner Quotezone, comes as safety authorities in several parts of the world raise concerns about the use of touchscreen controls in vehicles.
Touchscreens have become a familiar feature of modern cars, with research suggesting that 97% of new cars released since 2023 featured a central touchscreen.*
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And they could be getting even bigger. By 2030, analysts predict the average size of a vehicle dashboard will reach 10.6 inches – roughly the same size as most mid-sized tablet devices.**
But bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to safety. According to our partner Quotezone’s survey, 31% of drivers – around one in three – already think car touchscreens are too big.
Safety concerns over touchscreen controls
The concerns aren’t limited to motorists.
Independent car safety organisations around the world have also questioned whether touchscreens are the safest way to control important functions while driving.
From the beginning of 2026, the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) began downgrading the safety rating of cars that don’t have physical buttons or switches for indicators, hazard lights, horns, windscreen wipers and the SOS function.***
Similar concerns have been raised by ANCAP Safety, the independent car safety assessment programme for Australia and New Zealand. It has asked manufacturers to “bring back buttons” for important driver controls from 2026.****
China is also following suit, with new cars required to feature physical buttons for key functions from 1 July 2026.*****
Touchscreens can take your eyes off the road
The concerns highlighted by our partner Quotezone’s survey are also supported by UK research into how drivers use touchscreen controls.
The study found that drivers were significantly affected when controlling a vehicle’s position and maintaining a consistent speed. They also took their eyes off the road for longer than the guidelines recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Reaction times to hazards also increased when drivers selected music using in-car systems. The impact on reaction times was found to be worse than texting while driving.******
Some vehicles already prevent drivers from using certain touchscreen features, such as texting, while the car is moving.
And there appears to be support for going further. More than half (53%) of motorists surveyed said they would support restrictions on functions including built-in music players and sat navs.
Could touchscreen technology affect insurance?
The potential for touchscreen technology to distract drivers is also becoming a concern for insurers.
Anything that increases the risk of an accident could ultimately have an impact on insurance claims and premiums.
Greg Wilson, car insurance expert and CEO at our partner Quotezone, said: “Using a mobile phone while driving is rightly banned due to the distraction it causes, but our survey shows that modern car touchscreens are becoming increasingly distracting for motorists.
“Drivers are now expected to adjust essential settings with a swipe or touch through menus and screens rather than simple buttons, which can take people’s attention away from the road for longer than many realise.
“Touchscreens are predicted to increase in size in the next few years, but with safety concerns gaining momentum around the world, it’s time to review this innovation and make sure safety is the top priority.
“Distraction is one of the main contributing factors to collisions on our roads, drivers need to be wary and make sure they don’t let anything inside or outside the car distract their attention.”
Our partner Quotezone is a price comparison site that helps drivers compare and find savings on essential motoring products, including car, van and fleet insurance.
Compare quotes for car insurance from our partner Quotezone
Survey details
Our partner Quotezone’s findings are based on a randomised survey of 1,000 respondents across the UK during March 2026, which represents a margin of error of approximately 5% at a 95% confidence level.
References
- Quotezone survey findings – randomised survey of 1,000 UK respondents, March 2026.
- Research into vehicle touchscreen frustration and safety concerns. ** Research into the growth of in-car infotainment screen sizes. *** This Is Money – car touchscreen safety concerns. **** The Conversation – calls for physical buttons to return to cars. ***** CarExpert – China’s physical button requirements. ****** TRL/IAM RoadSmart – infotainment simulator study.
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This article is intended as generic information only and is not intended to apply to anybody’s specific circumstances, demands or needs. The views expressed are not intended to provide any financial service or to give any recommendation or advice. Products and services are only mentioned for illustrative rather than promotional purposes.
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