Voice Controls Preferred over Touchscreens in Cars for Safety Reasons, Claims Study

Changing Landscape of Automobile Controls

A study depicts that drivers are increasingly relying on voice controls in cars. The growing complexity of touchscreens, coupled with the concerning distraction it poses has necessitated this tilt towards spoken commands. With over half the drivers expressing their preference for voice commands over touchscreen systems - for tasks such as tuning into a radio station or setting new destinations on sat-nav, the the landscape is showing a serious shift in user-interaction techniques within vehicles.

Findings Prompts Action

According to this study, car manufacturers are being asked to ditch the complicated touchscreen systems and reintroduce traditional button and switch controls. This demand is a result of the common consensus among drivers who believe that voice commands are safer and less distracting. An example of this evolution is evident, where in a poll conducted by What Car?, involving 954 drivers, noted that almost 71% found using spoken commands convenient to navigate in the latest car models.

Rising Concerns over Driver Distractions

As vehicle manufacturers are leaning towards incorporating touchscreen systems for a sophisticated cabin experience, this trend is unknowingly contributing to increased driver distraction, which is a rising issue on the roads. Distraction has been noted as an influential factor in 17% of total accidents in 2022, indicating an increase of 4% from a decade ago. Simultaneously, about 60% of surveyed UK drivers admit that they have been distracted from safe driving due to the operation of touchscreen systems.

Impact on Car Sales

The study also concluded that three in five (60 per cent) drivers are likely to reconsider purchasing a car model that majorly relies on touchscreen controls and lacks traditional buttons and switches on the dashboard. On the other hand, only 8% favoured touchscreen systems making it clear that driver safety overrules the technological advancement in car controls.

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