Nearly half of motorists say the ever-larger touchscreens fitted to modern cars may be making driving more distracting, as safety specialists call for a return to physical controls.

A new survey found that 47% of UK drivers believe touchscreen dashboards are more distracting than traditional physical buttons.

The research, carried out by car insurance specialists at Quotezone, comes as safety authorities in several regions of the world voice concerns about touchscreen-based vehicle controls.

Touchscreens are now a common feature in modern vehicles, with research indicating that 97% of new cars launched since 2023 have included a central touchscreen.

Safety concerns over touchscreen controls

These concerns are not confined to drivers alone.

Independent vehicle safety organisations around the world have also questioned whether touchscreens are the safest method for operating important functions while on the move.

From the start of 2026, the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) began lowering the safety ratings of cars that do not provide physical buttons or switches for indicators, hazard lights, horns, windscreen wipers and the SOS function.

Comparable concerns have also been raised by ANCAP Safety, the independent vehicle safety assessment body for Australia and New Zealand. It has urged manufacturers to “bring back buttons” for key driver controls from 2026.

China is moving in the same direction as well, with new vehicles required to include physical buttons for essential functions from 1 July 2026.

Touchscreens can take your eyes off the road

The concerns highlighted by Quotezone’s survey are also backed by UK research into the way drivers interact with touchscreen controls.

The study found that drivers were noticeably affected when trying to control a vehicle’s position and keep a steady speed. It also showed they looked away from the road for longer than recommended under the guidelines of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Reaction times to hazards also increased when drivers selected music through in-car systems. The effect on reaction times was found to be worse than texting while driving.

Some vehicles already block drivers from using certain touchscreen functions, such as texting, while the car is in motion.

There also appears to be support for going further. More than half (53%) of motorists surveyed said they would support restrictions on functions such as built-in music players and sat navs.

Could touchscreen technology affect insurance?

The possibility that touchscreen technology could distract drivers is also becoming a growing concern for insurers.

Anything that raises the likelihood of an accident could eventually affect insurance claims and premiums.

Greg Wilson, car insurance expert and CEO at Quotezone, said: “Using a mobile phone while driving is rightly banned because of 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.”

Survey details

Quotezone’s findings are based on a randomised survey of 1,000 respondents across the UK during March 2026, representing a margin of error of approximately 5% at a 95% confidence level.