Why Touchscreens Could Be the Most Hazardous Element in Contemporary Vehicles | Carscoops

      Recent research reveals that using touchscreens significantly impairs driving performance, a finding that resonates with drivers' instincts.

      The study quantifies the negative impact of touchscreen usage on real-world driving capabilities, highlighting that drivers intuitively recognize that screens require excessive attention. These results call into question current car design trends prioritizing minimalist screens.

      In findings that may not surprise anyone who has attempted to switch playlists or adjust climate settings while driving, a new study confirms that searching through touchscreen infotainment systems is not only frustrating but also genuinely hazardous.

      Over the last twenty years, large tablet-like screens have progressively replaced traditional buttons and knobs, with many manufacturers now proudly promoting their extensive digital displays as key features, as seen in some Tesla models.

      A study from the University of Washington (UW) and the Toyota Research Institute demonstrates that these screens are highly distracting and can pose risks to drivers.

      Titled “Touchscreens in Motion: Quantifying the Impact of Cognitive Load on Distracted Drivers,” this research was published in the Proceedings of the 38th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology in September 2025.

      In the study, sixteen participants operated a high-fidelity driving simulator while researchers monitored their eye and hand movements, pupil size, and skin responses.

      Participants interacted with a vehicle touchscreen and completed memory tasks intended to evaluate their mental load. Key data points were derived from pupil size and electrodermal responses, measuring cognitive effort.

      The results showed that when drivers performed routine touchscreen tasks in a simulated urban environment, both their driving skills and screen interaction accuracy noticeably declined. The more complex the task, the greater the performance drop.

      The focus of the study was not on texting or browsing social media but on standard tasks automakers expect drivers to perform via multi-layered digital menus, such as adjusting audio, sending or receiving messages, or navigating media.

      Tasks that previously required a simple knob or button now demand simultaneous attention from the eyes, hands, and cognitive resources.

      In the simulated cityscape, participants drove while engaging with the touchscreen. Researchers collected various metrics on driver performance and physiological responses, including eye movements and steering consistency, as well as reaction time and stress indicators.

      The results were troubling for fans of expansive tablet-style infotainment systems: touchscreen interaction reduced accuracy and speed in pointing by more than 58 percent compared to conditions without driving. Simultaneously, lane deviation increased by over 40 percent when touchscreen use started, indicating that drivers struggled both with their driving and screen interactions.

      So, what can be done to address this issue?

      While it might seem logical to revert to physical buttons, that option is likely no longer viable. Although some automakers may consider reintroducing physical controls, the low cost and ease of implementing screens mean they will remain prevalent in the automotive industry.

      Instead, the study proposes several ways for automakers to enhance safety regarding touchscreen use.

      First, automakers should aim to minimize the number of menus needed for functions commonly performed while driving, potentially providing direct access to these functionalities at all times on the screen.

      Additionally, systems could be enhanced to anticipate certain user inputs and incorporate larger, more visually distinctive buttons.

      Finally, the study suggests implementing load-sensitive systems that recognize when a driver is experiencing high cognitive load, allowing for temporary limitations on certain functions or alerts prompting the driver to refocus on the road.

      Overall, the conclusion is that interfaces should be developed based on actual driver behavior rather than manufacturers' idealized expectations.