Carmakers are equipping their latest models with fancy touchscreens, but that could cause problems with Europe’s largest car safety authority.
The European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) is revamping its rating system starting Jan. 1, 2026 to mandate that five of a car’s primary controls — its horn, windshield wipers, turn signals, hazard warning lights and SOS features — will need physical buttons or switches.
Car models will have to comply to get NCAP’s coveted five-star rating. The scheme is voluntary but is heeded by most automakers because it’s closely monitored by consumers.
Belgium-based NCAP says that purely digital controls are a potential safety issue.
I prefer the idea that the Anglo-Saxon brain is just naturally suited to licking boots and becomes angry when others don’t
Hey lets give the Angles some credit here, the areas they settled revolted a lot historically. I think the Scots and Norse rubbed off on them. But the Saxons on the other hand I aint got a fucken clue. Like that worked out for my ancestors since they rode with William the conqueror and it made occupation of southern England easy but fuck they wanted a fight and only the North gave it to them.