Carmakers are equipping their latest models with fancy touchscreens, but that could cause problems with Europe’s largest car safety authority.
The European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) is revamping its rating system starting Jan. 1, 2026 to mandate that five of a car’s primary controls — its horn, windshield wipers, turn signals, hazard warning lights and SOS features — will need physical buttons or switches.
Car models will have to comply to get NCAP’s coveted five-star rating. The scheme is voluntary but is heeded by most automakers because it’s closely monitored by consumers.
Belgium-based NCAP says that purely digital controls are a potential safety issue.
For mine, the wipers are on the left side. You can click once to run it once and then use the roller buttons to change intensity
Do you have gear selector on yours ?
I’d actually like that setup. Mine is all touch for wipers since they are “automatic”.
My Audi has a control for it. Now I do feel the Audi has too many sticks. I have three which just seems like too many.