The Perils of Touchscreen Car Controls

The sleek touchscreen has become a symbol of the modern car—but it may also be one of its most dangerous features. What began with Tesla’s minimalist dashboard has spread across the industry, putting everything from climate control to navigation behind glass and menus. In this episode, we explore why researchers say touchscreens demand too much attention, how studies show they can slow reactions even more than alcohol, and why safety bodies like Euro NCAP are now pushing automakers back toward physical buttons. As drivers grow frustrated and manufacturers quietly reverse course, the story asks whether the future of car design has been looking in the wrong direction all along.https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/09/19/are-touchscreens-in-cars-dangerous