Overview

• Insurer Allianz reports touchscreen use increases driver reaction time by 57% and onboard computer interaction raises accident risk by about 50%.
• Eye-tracking by Sintef found simple tasks distract drivers for roughly 3.5 seconds, rising to 16 seconds for navigation or app control.
• Vi Bilägare tests showed some systems take far longer than physical controls, with an MG Marvel R requiring about 45 seconds for basic settings, roughly 1.4 kilometers without looking at the road.
• Research by the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory indicated touchscreen use can impair reaction more than driving over the legal alcohol limit.
• Though not legally binding, the new rating criteria are expected to influence purchases, and manufacturers including Volkswagen, Hyundai and Porsche are reinstating physical buttons and switches.