Touchscreens in cars will disappear in 2026

Banning touchscreens in cars in 2026 Upcoming safety reviews are set to intensify scrutiny on car manufacturers, forcing them to simplify and eliminate touchscreen systems, which have been identified as potential distractions for drivers on the move.

From January 2026, Euro NCAP, the crash testing body, will implement regulations that will lower the safety ratings of new vehicles that lack physical buttons on the dashboard for basic functions such as turn signals and hazard lights.

Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Volkswagen, and Volvo currently use enlarged touchscreens with many built-in controls. However, these interfaces have been criticized for being difficult, especially while driving.

Drivers make heavy use of on-car touch screens, taking their attention away from the road. This is one of the most important reasons for banning touch screens and making them buttons to avoid distraction, which is similar to distraction from a phone.