Road safety spotlight turned on in-vehicle touchscreens
In-vehicle touchscreens could be the next major road safety focus, according to vehicle leasing company Arval UK.
A spate of recent reports has identified a growing risk of distraction caused by in-vehicle technology, with new research by Allianz Center for Technology suggesting that driver distraction contributes to one in three crashes.
Meanwhile, a study by Scrap Car Comparison found that motorway drivers could travel 476m without looking at the road while using their touchscreens.
Chinese regulators are now stipulating that physical buttons be fitted for a range of vehicle functions Ian Pearson, head of insurance at Arval UK, believes similar steps could soon be taken in the UK.
He said: “It’s notable the authorities in China have recently stipulated physical buttons or switches for a range of key vehicle functions, including hazard lights, indicators, high beams, fog lights, wipers and washers, defrosting and defogging windows and more. These controls will have to be a certain size and give tactile or audible feedback.
“The Chinese regulators, following their own investigations into the potential risks of touchscreens, appear to be thinking along the same lines as the authors of the Allianz report.
“Developments such as the Allianz research and the new Chinese regulations seem to be creating a moment when touchscreens may become the next big fleet safety topic. While this is not a new conversation, the information available has improved.
“Most vehicles used by fleets in 2026 have at least some functions accessed through touchscreens, and sometimes those functions are buried deep in a sub-menu of a sub-menu. The potential for distraction on the road is substantial.”
