Modern vehicles are increasingly defined by sleek digital dashboards and large touchscreen displays, but a growing number of safety experts are warning that the shift toward screen-based controls may be going too far. Industry regulators and automotive safety organizations are now urging car manufacturers to reintroduce traditional physical buttons for critical driving functions.

One of the strongest voices in the debate is Carla Hoogerwerf, chief executive of the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), who recently called on automakers to reconsider the rapid move toward touchscreen-dominated interiors. According to Hoogerwerf, essential controls such as indicators, demisters, and other frequently used features should remain accessible through tactile buttons or switches rather than hidden within digital menus.

Safety advocates argue that physical controls allow drivers to operate important systems by touch alone, reducing the need to take their eyes off the road. In contrast, touchscreen interfaces often require drivers to visually locate icons, navigate through multiple menus, and confirm selections—actions that can significantly increase distraction while driving.

Regulators in several major markets are already responding to the issue. Beginning in February 2026, new vehicle safety guidelines in both Europe and China require certain critical functions to be accessible through physical controls rather than exclusively through touchscreens. The rule changes reflect growing concern that excessive reliance on digital interfaces could contribute to increased crash risks.