Euro NCAP Will Deduct Points From Manufactures Lacking Physical Buttons

Euro NCAP will deduct points from manufacturers lacking physical buttons for essential functions in their vehicles.

This move targets car brands that have increasingly integrated all features onto a single large screen—while this may reduce production costs, it poses distractions for drivers and has been deemed hazardous.

Consequently, manufacturers will face penalties for relegating critical functions to the screen, including indicators, hazard lights, windshield wipers, the horn, and emergency features like the mandatory eCall system in the EU. Starting in 2026, the new Euro NCAP evaluations will thus urge car makers to incorporate separate, intuitive physical controls for these vital functions to enhance driving safety.

Euro NCAP’s director of strategic development Matthew Avery explains why this decision has been taken to penalize automakers that make drivers rely almost exclusively on screens:

“The overuse of touchscreens is an industry-wide problem, with almost every vehicle-maker moving key controls onto central touchscreens, obliging drivers to take their eyes off the road and raising the risk of distraction crashes. New Euro NCAP tests due in 2026 will encourage manufacturers to use separate, physical controls for basic functions in an intuitive manner, limiting eyes-off-road time and therefore promoting safer driving.”

It is a safety concern since you’re forced to take your eyes off the road and navigate through the many submenus of a modern infotainment system. Buttons and knobs, on the other hand, are always in familiar spots on the dashboard.

• Also See: Mazda CX-80 (AKA CX-90 In The US) Achieved 5-Star Euro NCAP Safety Test (Video)