Almost half of UK motorists believe modern car touchscreens make driving more distracting than traditional physical controls.

That’s according to new research published by car insurance comparison site Quotezone.

It builds on previous research on the subject, as many manufacturers are beginning to return to traditional in-car controls.

Losing touch

The latest survey, conducted in March 2026 among 1,000 UK drivers, found that 47% of respondents felt touchscreen dashboards increase distraction compared with physical buttons and switches.

These findings add to the growing debate about in-car design as manufacturers continue to prioritise large central displays in new models.

Responses to the questionnaire also revealed that 31% of drivers think touchscreens are already too large, with many expressing concern that dashboard screens are continuing to grow.

Analysts have predicted that average screen sizes could exceed 10 inches by 2030, reinforcing concerns among motorists about increasing reliance on digital menus for essential vehicle functions.

Greg Wilson, chief executive of Quotezone, said the findings reflect mounting safety concerns.

“Using a mobile phone while driving is rightly banned due to the distraction it causes, but our survey shows that modern car touchscreens are becoming increasingly distracting,” he said.

“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.”

He added that distraction remains one of the leading contributory factors in road collisions, and urged manufacturers to ensure safety remains the priority in vehicle design.

Safety button

The Quotezone findings come amid wider regulatory shifts.

From 2026, the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) has begun penalising vehicles in its safety ratings for lacking physical controls for key functions such as indicators, hazard lights, windscreen wipers and the horn.

Similar positions have been adopted by other safety bodies, with independent crash testing organisations in Australia and New Zealand calling on manufacturers to “bring back buttons” for essential driver controls.

Industry observers say these changes signal a broader reassessment of touchscreen-heavy interiors across the global automotive market.

Fighting fashion

This latest survey aligns with earlier scientific studies suggesting that touchscreen interfaces can increase driver distraction.

A laboratory-based study by researchers at the University of Lisbon found that reaction times were significantly slower when drivers used touchscreens than when they used physical buttons.

The study reported that 80% of participants made errors with touchscreen controls, compared with just 20% with physical buttons.

It concluded that the type of interface had a measurable impact on both reaction time and driving performance.

Similarly, Swedish automotive magazine Vi Bilägare conducted a comparative test in 2022, finding that drivers took substantially longer to complete simple tasks in touchscreen-equipped vehicles compared with older cars fitted with traditional controls.

More recent academic research has also highlighted the limitations of touchscreen systems.

Studies examining glance behaviour show that drivers interacting with large infotainment screens may spend longer looking away from the road, particularly when navigating complex menus.

Researchers have warned that touch interfaces can increase cognitive load and error rates, especially in moving vehicles.

However, experts note that touchscreens are not disappearing.

Many modern vehicles integrate both digital displays and limited physical controls, and some manufacturers have begun reintroducing tactile buttons in response to customer feedback and safety concerns.

In the balance

Touchscreen technology has become standard in most new vehicles, offering design flexibility, software integration and cost efficiencies for manufacturers.

According to Quotezone’s research, 97% of new cars launched since 2023 include a central touchscreen, reflecting the scale of industry adoption.

Yet safety commentators argue that physical feedback, such as buttons and dials that can be operated by feel, can reduce distraction by limiting the need for visual confirmation.

With insurers increasingly monitoring driver behaviour and safety regulators tightening requirements, the debate over car interiors is expected to intensify.

While touchscreens remain central to modern vehicle design, growing evidence and consumer sentiment suggest a renewed role for physical controls in future models.

It seems that many drivers would welcome a return to simpler dashboards as part of a mix,  where essential functions are operated with a button rather than a swipe.

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