Euro NCAP to Give Higher Safety Ratings to Cars with Fewer Screens; Here's Why

Modern car cabins continue to be dominated by touchscreen infotainment units, and these systems' svelte design and intuitive operation have become key differentiators. Large in-car screens are among the newest tech upgrades that all the leading car manufacturers are rushing to include while maintaining the highest level of safety for their products. These screens are packed with functions and capabilities, but they also cause drivers to divert their attention from the road, which raises the possibility of distraction. In response to this issue, the European New Car Assessment Programme, or Euro NCAP, has declared new regulations that will take effect in January 2026. Cars that do not have certain conventional controls, like dials, stalks, or buttons, for basic features like turn signals, hazard lights, and windshield wipers, may lose points under these regulations.

Euro NCAP Emphasises the Need for Physical Controls

The director of strategic development at Euro NCAP, Matthew Avery, outlined the reasoning for the new regulations, noting that excessive touchscreen usage has become a concern for the entire sector. The goal of the assessment body is to reduce the amount of time that drivers spend off the road and encourage safer driving habits by pushing companies to employ distinct, physical controls for fundamental operations. By 2026, Euro NCAP plans to modify its car crash testing protocols to resolve this safety issue.

Speaking about the issue, Avery remarked, “The overuse of touchscreens is an industry-wide problem, with almost every vehicle-maker moving key controls onto central touchscreens, obliging drivers to take their eyes off the road and raising the risk of distraction crashes.” In contrast to touchscreen units, which increase the risk of accidents and are comparatively difficult to use, physical buttons employ muscle memory to allow the driver to keep their eyes on the road.

Big infotainment panels are popular among some carmakers, but others—like Hyundai and Toyota—choose to equip their cars with more conventional technology. To provide drivers with a compromise option that allows them to change settings without diverting their attention from the road, Skoda, for instance, has incorporated three physical dials that integrate customisable screens.

While not mandated, automakers such as Tesla, Volvo, Volkswagen, and BMW leverage the safety ratings provided by Euro NCAP to raise their standards of safety and position their cars as safer options for buyers. A poor rating could be the consequence of any drop in test scores. 

Euro NCAP can't force makers to go back to conventional controls, even though it works to encourage safer driving habits. But since numerous car manufacturers want to get as many five-star safety ratings as possible, they will probably follow the new rules. Since companies could be hesitant to design distinct interiors for several countries, it is unclear how these modifications will affect automobiles sold outside of the EU.

BYD Sedan Gets A 5 Star Euro NCAP Rating

One of the latest models to receive a perfect 5-star rating from Euro NCAP is the BYD Seal. The EV was evaluated on four criteria, including rescue and extrication, as well as three impact tests (front, lateral, and rear), under Euro NCAP guidelines. Regarding the scores, the car got 89 per cent for adult occupants, 87 per cent for child occupants, 82 per cent for Vulnerable Road Users, and 76 per cent for Safety Assist.

The vehicle that underwent crash tests was equipped with a centre airbag, side airbags, belt load limiters and pre-tensioners, and dual front airbags. Other features included seatbelt reminders, airbag cut-off switches, ISOFIX child seat mounts, Lane Assist System, Fatigue/Distraction Detection, and Autonomous Emergency Braking. 

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