Are touchscreens as dangerous as mobile phones?

Using touchscreen menus while driving could be as distracting as texting. In fact, the vehicle safety body wants to bring back button controls. It’s curious that touching a mobile phone while driving is an offence, but using a touchscreen is not.

What’s the problem with big touchscreens in cars?

A recent article in The Conversation said big touchscreens are dangerous. ANCAP Safety, the vehicle safety body, wants to bring back buttons for important driver controls.

The problem with big touchscreens is they distract the driver.

Distraction can be visual, manual, cognitive, or a combination of these. A distracting stimulus may take the driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off the driving task – or all three at once.

Using touchscreen menus could be similar to texting.

For example, just changing a vehicle’s temperature using a sliding bar on a screen diverts your eyes from the road and your mind from driving.

A 2020 UK study found using a touchscreen was as distracting or more distracting than texting while driving or while talking on a handheld phone.

Why are physical buttons coming back?

A physical knob offers the same useful functions but without the driver getting too involved. They don’t have to look at the knob to move it. They can rely on touch and muscle memory while keeping their eyes on the road.

Taking your eyes off the road means you keep travelling, but blind. In only 2 seconds, you travel 33 metres at 60 kmph.

Meanwhile, drivers are complaining about touchscreens. They’re frustrated when using basic controls, such as lights, windscreen wipers and temperature. They’re forced to watch the screen and take multiple steps, all while driving.

Aren’t mobile phones also dangerous while driving?

Yes. Even if you don’t answer a ringing phone, it can be as distracting as taking the call. Looking at your phone for just 2 seconds while driving at 50 kmph means you travel 28 metres blind. 

What’s the difference between using a touchscreen and a mobile phone?

Not much, but financially quite a bit. Using a mobile phone while driving will cost you $423 ($562 in a school zone)  and 5 demerit points. Using a touchscreen while driving will cost you nothing – except perhaps your life.

Authorities measure the effects of speed, fatigue and alcohol on injuries and deaths, but don’t measure (or don’t publish) the effects of distractions like mobile phones and touchscreens.

If you know you’re being distracted while driving, make sure you do what you can about it.