Car Touchscreens: Oversized, Over-Complex, or Useful Driver Systems?

• In general, are info screens in modern cars becoming too feature-packed with difficult navigation?

  • There’s a delicate balance between providing useful features and overwhelming drivers with too many distractions. While modern infotainment systems offer incredible functionality, they must be designed with safety and simplicity in mind. Technology in cars should enhance the driving experience, not detract from it. Recent data from Arity shows that 68% of drivers agree that distracted driving is extremely unsafe, and systems that are too complicated or feature-packed could contribute to this problem.

  • Automakers and tech developers need to focus on intuitive designs that minimize distraction while still offering the features drivers need, especially since distracted driving increased by 30% between 2019 and 2024, and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. This balance can also be better understood with data insights into the potential levels of distractions that current or future screen features might introduce into the driving experience.

• Should games be add-ons rather than built into screens?

  • While in-car entertainment, including games, can help keep passengers engaged, these features shouldn’t distract drivers. Safety should always come first. Games, if offered, should be passenger-focused and not built into systems that might tempt drivers to use them while on the road. Knowing this is the case for many infotainment options already, it’s something that needs to be reinforced. I believe any entertainment feature should prioritize the driver’s ability to focus on the road over pure technological innovation.

• Do we need an EU/US regulator to decide how many steps any driver can take to adjust heating, wiper speeds, etc for safety reasons?

• Regulating the number of steps drivers take to adjust basic controls like heating or wiper speeds could be well-intentioned, but it risks being overly prescriptive and may not fully address the root issue—distraction. Instead, the focus should be on designing intuitive, user-friendly systems that reduce the cognitive load on drivers. Distractions come from many sources, so the key is ensuring that any interface—whether it’s for heating or wipers—can be adjusted quickly and safely without pulling the driver’s attention from the road.  Carmakers have started to move in this direction by automating certain features, removing the need for human intervention. For example, when it starts to rain, wipers automatically turn on, and then turn-off once the rain stops. Similarly, when driving on dark roads, high beams turn on automatically, and shutoff when the road lighting conditions improve or when there’s incoming traffic in the other lane.

Rather than broad regulations, I believe automakers, tech companies, and safety experts should collaborate to set best practices for interface design, balancing innovation with safety.

• Should insurance brands use screen options as part of their overall vehicle risk group/ratings systems?

  • Integrating screen options into vehicle risk assessments is an interesting idea. Distraction plays a significant role in road safety, and the complexity or usability of a car’s infotainment system can influence driver interactions on the road.  Insurers today look at a variety of vehicle characteristics, e.g. engine horsepower, in rating.  If certain screen configurations lead to higher levels of distraction and more accidents, it could make sense for insurance carriers to consider this as part of their overall risk calculations.

However, this approach would require data demonstrating a correlation between specific screen configurations and driving risk. The focus should remain on understanding how drivers interact with their vehicles and ensuring that any technology promotes safety, not detracts from it. With the right data, insurers could certainly consider these factors as part of their rating systems.

• Should insurers have the legal right to access screen interactions and settings as part of the claims process?

  • This is a complex issue. On the one hand, accessing screen interactions and settings during a claims process could provide valuable insights into driver behavior leading up to an incident, helping to determine if distractions, like using the infotainment system, played a role. However, privacy concerns are paramount, particularly in today’s climate. Drivers must feel assured that their data is handled responsibly and transparently. Any access to information such as screen interactions, should be clearly communicated by vehicle manufacturers to the driver. Balancing the need to enhance claims accuracy with the protection of user privacy is crucial, and any legal access to this data, which is owned by the consumer, must be managed carefully, with the driver’s clear understanding and consent.