European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls

https://lemmy.world/post/12747897

European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls - Lemmy.World

Touch screens should not be used for any controls needed to operate a car. You can’t use them without taking your eyes off the road.

Technically the only thing you’re allowed to fuddle with, while driving, is what you can operate from the steering wheel. You’re not supposed to fiddle with radio, AC etc. from the centre console while driving even if it’s physical buttons.

I know people don’t drive like this, but you’re only allowed to take your hands off the steering wheel for changing gears if driving a manual, otherwise it’s two hands on theere at all times…technically

This differ by countries. Here I’m required by law to operate the car as needed to operate it safely.

If the cloud vanish, I am allowed to put sunglasses, if I get vapor on my windshield I am allowed to push the button to remove it and so on.

But you have to do it safely and smartly. If you get in an accident that you would have been able to prevent otherwise, you may be found at fault. Even if you didn’t cause it.

The wording is probably similar here, but very few critical systems are not controllable from the steering wheel.

Wipers, volume, AC, cruise control are all controlled from the steering wheel of modern cars, there’s really not anything you need to do from the centre console to drive safely.

I’ve never seen a car where you can adjust the AC from the wheel.
Mine can 🤷‍♂️ thought that was just about normal these days actually.
Are you counting the stalks behind the wheel as on the steering wheel?
Yes, you can operate them without letting go of the steering wheel or taking your eyes off the road.
I’m definitely taking my hand off the wheel to operate things like headlights or wiper speed, which are dials on the end of a stalk. It would be really difficult not to.