EU Regulators Tell Manufacturers to Dial back use of Haptic screens

[TheTraveller]

They have said that the increased use of screens for control of the vehicle, is basically getting out of hand. And is distracting and dangerous, while driving.
If they want to get and keep the top NCap rating, they must get back to the old way of controlling functions.
Starting from Jan 2026, Indicators, Hazard Warning Lights, Wipers, S O S calls and the horn, must have knobs, stalks or levers to operate them. But I would think that most vehicles have not or will ever have, some of these functions on a screen.
I think someone, somewhere is having a brain wave and using common sense.

[ScotMac]

Screens on many cars are definitely out of hand.

Maybe some good news.

[GTB]

Totally agree with that stance.
A lot of modern cars just a big touch/haptic screen.
Far too much going on. Something to be said for buttons and turning dials.

GTB

[Scooby_Doo]

One of good things about the Macan are the switches, even the haptics.

[2japs]

Will sanity prevail and we will have less of the hideous I pad stuff

[Paul1970]

They have said that the increased use of screens for control of the vehicle, is basically getting out of hand. And is distracting and dangerous, while driving.
If they want to get and keep the top NCap rating, they must get back to the old way of controlling functions.
Starting from Jan 2026, Indicators, Hazard Warning Lights, Wipers, S O S calls and the horn, must have knobs, stalks or levers to operate them. But I would think that most vehicles have not or will ever have, some of these functions on a screen.
I think someone, somewhere is having a brain wave and using common sense.

Surely there isn’t a car that currently has those specific functions only accessible via a screen?

[GTB]

They have said that the increased use of screens for control of the vehicle, is basically getting out of hand. And is distracting and dangerous, while driving.
If they want to get and keep the top NCap rating, they must get back to the old way of controlling functions.
Starting from Jan 2026, Indicators, Hazard Warning Lights, Wipers, S O S calls and the horn, must have knobs, stalks or levers to operate them. But I would think that most vehicles have not or will ever have, some of these functions on a screen.
I think someone, somewhere is having a brain wave and using common sense.

Surely there isn’t a car that currently has those specific functions only accessible via a screen?

paul1970,

Maybe they are putting in those rules now, before some mad design person thinks let’s put everything on a touchscreen. So they have looked at what they consider to be items/functions that must be by a physical lever/button/knob.

GTB

[AndyC160]

They have said that the increased use of screens for control of the vehicle, is basically getting out of hand. And is distracting and dangerous, while driving.
If they want to get and keep the top NCap rating, they must get back to the old way of controlling functions.
Starting from Jan 2026, Indicators, Hazard Warning Lights, Wipers, S O S calls and the horn, must have knobs, stalks or levers to operate them. But I would think that most vehicles have not or will ever have, some of these functions on a screen.
I think someone, somewhere is having a brain wave and using common sense.

Surely there isn’t a car that currently has those specific functions only accessible via a screen?

paul1970,

Maybe they are putting in those rules now, before some mad design person thinks let’s put everything on a touchscreen. So they have looked at what they consider to be items/functions that must be by a physical lever/button/knob.

GTB

I'm not sure it's all down to 'some mad design person'!

Much more to do with the bean counters discovering how much cheaper it is to add something to the screen than to design, approve, produce and fit some knobs and switches.

They need to stop alot more than just those listed. Heater controls hidden in some submenu...great idea !

[SAC1]

They have said that the increased use of screens for control of the vehicle, is basically getting out of hand. And is distracting and dangerous, while driving.
If they want to get and keep the top NCap rating, they must get back to the old way of controlling functions.
Starting from Jan 2026, Indicators, Hazard Warning Lights, Wipers, S O S calls and the horn, must have knobs, stalks or levers to operate them. But I would think that most vehicles have not or will ever have, some of these functions on a screen.
I think someone, somewhere is having a brain wave and using common sense.

Surely there isn’t a car that currently has those specific functions only accessible via a screen?

Take a look at the 2024 model Tesla 3. Nearly everything is now controlled and operated by the (iPad type) screen or steering wheel buttons. No indicator type stalks or knobs at all.

[Woodhouse]

If I recall, Taycan I had had a touch screen to adjust direction of cabin air vents!