47% of UK drivers say touchscreens are distracting

Last Updated: 28 April 2026
Read time: 4 min

Expert: Greg Wilson
Founder, CEO & Insurance Expert

Author: Stephen Gamble
Insurance PR Writer

Fact-checked by: QuoteZone Editorial Team

Written in line with our Editorial Guidelines

A new survey reveals almost half, 47%, of UK drivers believe touchscreen dashboards make driving more distracting when compared to using physical buttons.

The survey, by car insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk, highlights growing safety concerns about modern dashboards, as safety authorities begin to clamp down on the new technology. 

Touchscreens have become synonymous with modern cars and research suggests 97% of new cars released since 2023 featured a central touchscreen.*

By 2030, analysts are predicting that the average size of a vehicle dashboard will reach 10.6 inches – the same size as most mid-sized tablet devices.**

According to Quotezone’s survey, one in three (31%) drivers already feel car touchscreens are too big, with future increases likely to be unwelcome amongst motorists.

The safety of car touchscreens has also been brought into question by independent car safety bodies in different regions across the globe.

From the start of 2026, the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) began downgrading the safety rating of cars that don’t have physical buttons or switches for indicators, hazard lights, horns, windscreen wipers, and the SOS function.***

Similar concerns have been raised by the independent car safety assessment program for Australia and New Zealand (ANCAP Safety), asking manufacturers to “bring back buttons” for important driver controls from 2026.**** China is following suit with new cars needing to feature physical buttons for key functions from 1st July 2026.*****

Quotezone’s survey results regarding driver distraction are also backed up by studies conducted in the UK on drivers using touch controls.

The study found drivers were significantly impacted when controlling a vehicle’s position and keeping a consistent speed, and were found to take their eyes off the road for longer than NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) recommended guidelines.

Reaction times to hazards also increased when selecting music using in-car systems – with reaction time impacts found to be worse than texting while driving.******

Many cars already restrict drivers from using certain touchscreen functions such as texting while a car is in motion.  More than half, 53%, of the motorists surveyed said they would support restrictions on functions such as built-in music players and sat navs.

Potential distractions are becoming a concern for insurers too, as they can increase the risk of accidents – ultimately affecting insurance claims and premiums.

Greg Wilson, car insurance expert and CEO at Quotezone.co.uk said: “Using a mobile phone while driving is rightly banned due to the distraction it causes, but our survey shows that modern car touchscreens are becoming increasingly distracting for motorists.

“Drivers are now expected to adjust essential settings with a swipe or touch through menus and screens rather than simple buttons, which can take people’s attention away from the road for longer than many realise.

“Touchscreens are predicted to increase in size in the next few years, but with safety concerns gaining momentum around the world, it’s time to review this innovation and make sure safety is the top priority.

“Distraction is one of the main contributing factors to collisions on our roads, drivers need to be wary and make sure they don’t let anything inside or outside the car distract their attention.”

As a price comparison site, Quotezone helps drivers compare and find savings on all sorts of essential motoring products, such as car, van and fleet insurance.

References:
Quotezone’s findings are based on a randomised survey of 1,000 respondents across the UK during March 2026, which represents a margin of error of approximately 5% at a 95% confidence level.

*https://www.autosafety.org/vehicle-touchscreen-frustration-safety-concerns/
**https://www.motortrend.com/features/in-car-infotainment-technology-big-screens
***https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-13217963/Car-makers-distracting-touchscreens-REVEALED.html
****https://theconversation.com/yes-those-big-touchscreens-in-cars-are-dangerous-and-buttons-are-coming-back-272704
*****https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/china-to-mandate-physical-buttons-in-touchscreen-crackdown
******https://www.trl.co.uk/uploads/trl/documents/PPR948-_IAM-RoadSmart—infotainment-sim-study.pdf