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Global Safety Experts Warn ‘Deadly’ High-Tech Car Features
Are Putting Drivers at Risk
Safety experts around the world are calling on automakers and regulators to re-evaluate the rapid integration of complex digital technology into modern vehicles, urging a return to simpler, more intuitive designs amid mounting concerns that today’s high-tech features could be compromising road safety.
The warning comes amid a growing chorus of voices — including road safety researchers, automotive analysts and regulatory bodies — who argue that some of the very technologies intended to improve driving experience and safety may, paradoxically, be jeopardizing it. Key features such as touchscreen dashboards, pop-out door handles and other digital-centric controls are being scrutinized for their potential to distract drivers, delay reaction times, and even create serious hazards in emergency situations.
A Shift from Mechanical Controls to Screens and Sensor Tech
Over the past decade, car manufacturers have pushed the boundaries of in-vehicle technology. What was once the domain of early GPS units and basic Bluetooth connectivity has now blossomed into expansive touchscreen infotainment systems, virtual instrument clusters, digital door handles, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that rely on an array of sensors, radar and artificial intelligence.
Supporters of these technologies often highlight their potential to streamline vehicle operation and introduce life-saving automation — such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and automated emergency braking systems — which collectively fall under the umbrella of ADAS. These systems are designed to help drivers maintain safe distances to other vehicles, detect and react to pedestrians, and even apply brakes autonomously when a collision threat is detected.
Yet, as high-tech features proliferate, safety advocates argue that this rapid shift has outpaced rigorous evaluation of how such systems affect driver behaviour and road safety in real-world conditions.
Touchscreens Under Fire: A ‘Deadly’ Distraction
Touchscreen dashboards have become commonplace in modern cars, replacing physical buttons and knobs that once controlled essential functions — from temperature settings to headlight activation. While this design choice has helped manufacturers reduce costs and offer a sleeker cabin aesthetic, it has also drawn criticism from safety professionals.
Professor Milad Haghani, a car safety expert at the University of Melbourne, recently voiced strong concerns about touchscreen infotainment panels. He told reporters that these screens “require visual attention and demand glance durations often longer than safe thresholds,” adding that “those prolonged glances away from the road can be deadly.”
This view aligns with safety research highlighting how prolonged visual engagement with screens can detract from situational awareness. Studies referenced by road safety advocates suggest that performing routine tasks on a touchscreen — such as adjusting climate settings or audio controls — can take drivers’ eyes off the road for significantly longer than simple button presses. Some tests have shown that touchscreen interactions can reduce drivers’ reaction capability more than handheld devices such as phones.
Responding to these concerns, Europe’s leading crash-test organization, Euro NCAP, has signaled a shift in how it evaluates vehicle safety. Under new guidelines, cars that rely heavily on touchscreen controls to manage essential functions may find it harder to achieve top scores in safety assessments unless they reintegrate physical controls. This move reflects growing recognition that ease of use and minimal visual distraction are vital components of vehicle safety.
Pop-Out Handles: Innovation or Hazard?
High-tech exterior components are also under scrutiny. Pop-out door handles — a sleek design feature popularized by several electric vehicle manufacturers — have been criticized for safety shortcomings that could endanger occupants.
These handles automatically extend when the vehicle is unlocked and retract during motion, offering a futuristic appearance. However, reports from regulators in China have led to a proposed ban on these handles due to safety issues. In one cited case, failures of the handle mechanism reportedly prevented occupants from exiting their vehicle after a crash — a frightening scenario that has prompted consumer safety alarms.
Chinese authorities are considering banning pop-out door handles on all new cars sold in the country by 2027, a move that could have significant implications for manufacturers that have heavily embraced the design. Electric vehicle maker Tesla, whose models prominently feature this technology, could face major design changes if the regulation is adopted.
Regulatory and Industry Response
The rising debate over high-tech vehicle features has not gone unnoticed by regulators and industry bodies. In addition to Euro NCAP’s updated safety rating criteria, countries such as Australia and New Zealand are reportedly considering mandating physical button controls for certain essential functions starting in 2026, with the aim of reducing driver distraction and improving road safety.
These regulatory shifts reflect a broader recognition that while digital technologies and automation hold promise, they must be implemented in ways that genuinely enhance — not compromise — safety. Maintaining a balance between innovation and simplicity appears increasingly critical as cars become more connected and autonomous.
Consumer advocacy organizations are also urging practical improvements. For example, Consumer Reports has recently published guidelines aimed at helping automakers design more intuitive and user-friendly advanced driver-assistance systems, highlighting ongoing concerns about consumer confusion and the usability of high-tech safety features.
Drivers’ Perspectives: Confusion and Frustration
Not all criticism comes from formal safety experts. Many everyday drivers also express frustration with the complexity of modern vehicle interfaces. Online discussions reflect a broader sentiment that too many safety and convenience features, while well-intended, can be overwhelming or counter-intuitive.
Common complaints include systems that repeatedly alert or intervene in ways that drivers find intrusive, confusing, or unpredictable. In some forums, drivers lament the lack of physical controls or express longing for simpler, older vehicles without intrusive tech that sometimes overrides driver input. These voices reflect a segment of motorists who believe that complicated safety technologies can paradoxically make driving more hazardous or stressful — especially if drivers are not adequately trained to understand and interact with them.
Balancing Innovation with Safety
The debate over high-tech features in cars highlights a broader tension in automotive design: the desire to innovate versus the imperative to maintain safety and usability. Many of today’s technologies — from automated braking to lane-assist systems — have demonstrable benefits, reducing the likelihood of crashes caused by human error and saving lives. For instance, studies show that electronic stability control, a driver-assist technology, can significantly reduce fatal accidents and rollovers, improving overall vehicle safety.
However, experts stress that sophisticated technologies must complement, not replace, core driving skills and human attention. There’s growing consensus that safety systems need to be transparent, predictable, and easy to use without drawing undue attention away from the primary task of driving.
The Road Ahead: Smarter, Not Just More Complex
Automakers face a critical crossroads. As the industry accelerates toward greater automation and digital integration — including future goals of fully autonomous vehicles — it must also address the immediate safety challenges posed by current generations of high-tech features.
Simplifying controls, enhancing physical interfaces, improving driver education about advanced systems, and strengthening regulatory frameworks could all play a role in making vehicles safer and more user-friendly.
The recent calls from safety experts represent more than nostalgia for mechanical knobs and buttons. They signal a deeper recognition that technology in vehicles must be thoughtfully implemented, with human factors and real-world safety at the center of design — not as an afterthought.
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