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As vehicle technology races ahead, one feature has quietly become a source of growing concern: the in-dash touchscreen. Once a novelty, these screens now dominate the interiors of many electric and gas-powered vehicles. While lawmakers have cracked down on phone use behind the wheel, in-vehicle touchscreens have largely escaped regulation. This “legal no man’s land” has sparked confusion, conflicts with police officers, and interesting social media discussions.
Here’s a recent post on Facebook by Jonji Jison getting a ticket for using her car’s touchscreen while driving.
“Just sharing so everyone knows.
Yes, you can get a ticket in California for using a Tesla’s touchscreen while driving, even if it’s for adjusting settings like climate control or music.”
Christopher Blair pointed out the ridiculous nature of the law:
“Why weren’t your lights on?”
“I didn’t wanna touch my screen officer”
Shane Sco recommended a “work around”:
“Pro tip – tint windows.”
Joni responded with:
“California or not, Tesla or not, an officer can site anybody if they see you are too distracted while driving. That’s the bottom line. I still touch my screen every now and then to adjust something.”
and the common-sense award goes to Wayne Ed’s comment:
“That’s the dumbest sh*t I’ve ever heard! Cops have laptops in their cars LOL.”
The Research about Old Knobs Versus New Screens
To understand the safety implications of touchscreens, the Swedish magazine Vi Bilägare put 11 modern cars to the test alongside a 2005 Volvo V70 equipped with traditional buttons and knobs. The test took place on a closed, straight course where each driver familiarized themselves with the controls beforehand.
Drivers were instructed to accelerate to 68 miles per hour and then complete a series of tasks, such as adjusting the radio, changing the temperature, and activating heated seats. The goal was to see how long these tasks took and how often drivers looked away from the road.
The results were striking. The Volvo V70 outperformed all touchscreen-equipped vehicles. Its driver completed the full list of tasks in under ten seconds. By comparison, drivers in the Tesla Model 3 and BMW iX took 23.5 and 30.4 seconds, respectively. Every modern vehicle tested required more than 20 seconds to complete the same set of actions.
The Many Reasons Why Manufacturers Prefer Touchscreens
Electric vehicle companies like Tesla reimagined the cockpit by replacing rows of physical knobs and buttons with a sleek, centralized touchscreen in their Model Y. This choice wasn’t just about creating a futuristic look, though the clean, minimalist design has become a signature aesthetic. It was also about efficiency and flexibility. Traditional controls require engineers to design each component, often from scratch. Every button must be prototyped, tested, manufactured, and installed on the assembly line. Each one is a potential failure point that adds cost, complexity, and time to production.
Touchscreens offer a smarter path forward. With a single interface like the Tesla Model Y has, automakers can deliver the same functions through software, reducing finicky mechanical parts and simplifying the dashboard. Features can evolve over time through over-the-air software updates, something physical controls can never do. One touchscreen can replace dozens of individual controls, saving space while unlocking a more adaptable and modern user experience. For a brand building around innovation, it’s not just a screen, it’s a statement.
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We Are Still Assessing How Touchscreens Affect Safe Driving
Driving safely demands full attention. Even a short lapse caused by reaching for the radio or navigating a menu can increase the risk of a crash. The longer it takes to complete an in-car task, the more road is traveled without full focus.
At 68 miles per hour, a vehicle covers over 1,000 feet in just ten seconds. In the worst-performing vehicle in the test, the driver’s eyes were off the road for a total of 4,501 feet—nearly the length of 16 football fields. These are moments when a driver might miss a hazard, a sudden stop, or a pedestrian crossing the street.
Even when drivers try to keep their eyes forward, splitting mental attention between the road and a touchscreen can delay reaction times. Touchscreen interfaces, especially those with nested menus or low-light visibility, amplify this risk. Several vehicles in the study featured touch-sensitive buttons without backlighting, making them difficult to locate in the dark. Others relied on inconsistent voice recognition systems that only added to the distraction.
Touchscreens Are Seem Like a Legal No Man’s Land
While most states have banned texting and handheld phone use while driving, very few have addressed touchscreen interaction. Legal experts are beginning to raise alarms. Distracted driving injuries are increasing alongside the rise of in-vehicle technology. Much like laws around phone use, touchscreen regulations could soon become necessary as more data highlights the danger.
Staying Safe in a Touchscreen World
Despite the risks, touchscreens are here to stay. Automakers continue to favor them for aesthetic and cost-saving reasons. Drivers, however, are not powerless. A few practical steps can help minimize the hazard.
Set it before you drive. Configure your GPS, adjust the temperature, and choose your music before you shift into gear.
Some cars like the Tesla Model Y have voice commands. When available, using your car’s voice commands is a safer alternative to interacting with the touchscreen while driving. It allows you to keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel while adjusting settings, making calls, or setting navigation.
Reduce distractions. Avoid pairing your phone with Bluetooth or activating unnecessary notifications. Simplify the touchscreen interface whenever possible to minimize icons and menus.
Use physical buttons if available. Some vehicles, like the BMW iX, offer both touchscreen and physical controls. Opt for the tactile alternative when you can.
Let someone else take over. If you have a passenger, assign them to manage the screen while you keep your attention on the road.
Touchscreens may feel sleek and modern, but they carry real safety risks. Unlike physical knobs and buttons that can often be operated by feel, digital screens demand more visual attention. Until regulations catch up, drivers must take responsibility for managing these distractions. A safer ride is still within reach, it just takes a little planning and a lot less tapping.
Please Drop Your Thoughts in the Comments Below
Do you think it’s fair to get a ticket for adjusting climate control or music on your car’s touchscreen?
Should touchscreen use be regulated the same way as phone use while driving?
Chris Johnston is the author of SAE’s comprehensive book on electric vehicles, “The Arrival of The Electric Car.” His coverage on Torque News focuses on electric vehicles. Chris has decades of product management experience in telematics, mobile computing, and wireless communications. Chris has a B.S. in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA. He lives in Seattle. When not working, Chris enjoys restoring classic wooden boats, open water swimming, cycling and flying (as a private pilot). You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn and follow his work on X at ChrisJohnstonEV.
Image sources: AI, Tesla media kit
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Source: torquenews.com
