Physical Buttons Return to New Cars in 2026 Amid Safety Concerns
BRUSSELS – Starting January 1, 2026, new vehicles sold in Europe will be required to feature physical buttons for essential functions, a move driven by growing concerns over driver distraction caused by touchscreen controls. A new European Union regulation aims to enhance road safety by limiting touchscreen use to central operating points within the vehicle.
The regulation stems from research demonstrating that touchscreens significantly divert driver attention. Euro NCAP reports that adjusting air conditioning via a touchscreen can take over 30 seconds, during which a vehicle can travel several hundred meters with reduced driver focus.
Key functions like windscreen wipers, turn signals, the horn, and hazard warning lights will once again be controlled by physical buttons. Cars lacking these controls will no longer be eligible for top scores in Euro NCAP safety tests, signaling the regulation’s focus on accident reduction rather than design preferences.
“The fact that the buttons are now returning to cars is not just about practical solutions. It is an significant step towards better traffic safety,” the regulation emphasizes.
Car manufacturers face substantial adjustments, including dashboard redesigns and increased advancement costs, to comply with the new rules. While automakers are reportedly reserved about the changes, motorists are largely welcoming the return of tactile controls.
“The touchscreen works fine for navigation, but when the weather changes, I want to be able to quickly turn up the heat without looking around at the screen,” says Jitka, a commuter from Tábor, Czech Republic.
Researchers, including Dr. David Strayer at the University of utah, contend that touchscreens can be more distracting than mobile phone use while driving.The shift to physical controls represents a move towards prioritizing safety, establishing “taps rather than swipes” as the standard for Europe’s roads.
