Are modern cars becoming too clever for their own good?
There was a time when changing the heating in a car meant turning a dial. You could usually do it without taking your eyes off the road.
Today, that same adjustment might involve opening a touchscreen menu, finding the correct setting and pressing several virtual buttons.
It may look sophisticated, but is it safer?
A major new study suggests that drivers themselves are increasingly doubtful. And for anyone injured in a road accident caused by a distracted motorist, the consequences can be life-changing.
Two in Three Drivers Want Traditional Car Controls Back
Research published by Allianz in October 2026 found that 65% of drivers surveyed across nine countries preferred physical buttons and dials for safety-critical functions.
The insurer also found that the time motorists spent looking away from the road could vary significantly depending on the design of their vehicle’s touchscreen.
Drivers complained about confusing menus, small touch areas and having to scroll through several screens simply to operate everyday vehicle functions.
The problem is not necessarily the screen itself. It is the amount of attention required to operate it.
Three Seconds Looking Away Can Mean Disaster
At 30 mph, a vehicle travels approximately 40 metres in three seconds.
At 70 mph, it travels approximately 94 metres.
Imagine driving that distance while looking down at a dashboard instead of watching the traffic ahead.
A pedestrian might step into the road. A cyclist could be approaching a junction. A motorcyclist might be filtering through slow-moving traffic.
Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable because they have little physical protection when struck by another vehicle. Our specialist motorbike accident claims solicitors understand the serious injuries that can result from collisions caused by negligent drivers.
A few seconds of distraction could mean the difference between avoiding an accident and causing a serious collision.
Is It Illegal to Use a Car Touchscreen While Driving?
Using a built-in touchscreen is not automatically unlawful.
However, motorists must remain in proper control of their vehicles.
Under Rule 149 of the Highway Code, drivers must exercise proper control at all times.
If using a touchscreen causes a driver to lose concentration or fail to observe the road, their driving could amount to careless or dangerous driving.
The fact that the screen was installed by the manufacturer does not remove the driver’s legal responsibilities.
Can You Claim Compensation After a Touchscreen-Related Road Accident?
If another driver causes an accident because they are distracted by their vehicle’s controls, you may be entitled to compensation.
This could include compensation for:
- Physical injuries, including fractures, spinal injuries and serious orthopaedic injuries.
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity.
- Loss of earnings and future income.
- Rehabilitation and medical treatment.
- Care, assistance and other reasonable expenses.
Where a collision results in permanent disability or substantial rehabilitation needs, pursuing a serious injury compensation claim requires careful consideration of the injured person’s future needs.
Compensation may also include loss of earnings, medical expenses and other financial losses.
The value of a claim depends on the injuries sustained, their consequences and the supporting evidence.
What Evidence Could Help Your Road Accident Claim?
If you suspect another driver was distracted by a touchscreen immediately before an accident, useful evidence may include:
- Dashcam footage showing the moments before the collision.
- CCTV recordings from nearby premises.
- Witness statements.
- Police accident reports.
- Vehicle data and electronic records.
- Expert accident reconstruction evidence.
In some cases, vehicle data may help establish what happened immediately before impact, although the availability of touchscreen interaction records will depend on the vehicle and its systems.
Evidence should be preserved promptly because electronic records and CCTV footage may not remain available indefinitely.
When a Distracted Driver Causes a Fatal Road Accident
Tragically, some road accidents caused by distracted driving result in the loss of life.
For surviving relatives, the emotional consequences are devastating. There may also be substantial financial difficulties, particularly where the deceased was the family’s principal earner.
Families may be entitled to pursue a fatal accident compensation claim where the death resulted from another person’s negligence.
Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include financial dependency, lost household services, funeral expenses and a statutory bereavement award for qualifying relatives.
Our specialist fatal accident solicitors can investigate the circumstances of the collision and advise families on their legal rights.
Why Specialist Road Accident Solicitors Matter
Road accident claims are not always straightforward.
Insurers may dispute liability, question how a collision occurred or suggest that the injured person was partly responsible.
At R James Hutcheon Solicitors, we have over 30 years’ experience handling personal injury and road accident claims.
We investigate liability, obtain the necessary medical evidence and pursue appropriate compensation for our clients.
If you have been injured because another motorist was distracted by technology inside their vehicle, contact our specialist road accident solicitors for advice.
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