What is the Connection Between Blind Operation in Cars and the Mysterious Death of a Billionaire?

Requiem for Blind Operation #2

The Disappearance of Physical Controls in Cars: A Trend Over Logic

The trend of replacing physical buttons and controls in cars with touchscreens exemplifies how we are driven by trends rather than logic and rationality. Although I'm not the most logical and rational person, there are situations where these qualities are simply necessary.

I delved deeper into the issue of physical button operation in the automotive industry. Despite official safety organizations warning about the dangers of touchscreens in vehicles, the industry seems to largely ignore these concerns.

What are the main issues?

Increased Distraction: Touchscreens require drivers to take their eyes off the road for longer periods compared to physical buttons. Studies have shown that tasks performed using a touchscreen take an average of 24 seconds, compared to just 10 seconds with physical buttons. This increased distraction time significantly raises the risk of accidents.

Longer Stopping Distances: A 2019 study commissioned by IAM RoadSmart found that infotainment systems increased the average stopping distance by four times!

Comparable to Texting While Driving: The same study found that reaction times when using infotainment systems were even worse than those for texting while driving, which is widely recognized as dangerous behavior.

Confusion with Controls: There have been reports of accidents related to gear shifting via touchscreens, including a fatal incident involving Angela Chau in a Tesla. This highlights the real danger and potential for confusion and errors when critical functions are controlled through touchscreens.

Euro NCAP, an influential safety rating organization, announced that starting January 2026, certain key functions like indicators, warning lights, and windshield wipers must be controlled by physical switches for vehicles to achieve the highest safety ratings. This change is being implemented in response to safety concerns associated with touchscreens.

Key functions include:

1. Turn Signals: Must be controlled by a lever or similar mechanism, not by buttons on the steering wheel

2. Horn: Ideally located in the center of the steering wheel for easy access

3. Lights: Including headlights and high beams, should be manually operable even if automatic lights are available

4. Hazard Lights: Should have a large, easily accessible button

5. Windshield Wipers: Including washer controls, should be controlled by physical switches or stalks

6. Radio Volume: Preferably controlled by a large, round knob instead of a touch slider

7. Gear Selector: For automatic transmissions, a physical PRNDL shifter is recommended over a round knob to avoid confusion with other controls

8. HVAC Controls: Including temperature, fan speed, and defrost/defog settings

9. Glove Box Latch: Should be a physical latch, not a touchscreen control

10. Trunk Release: Should be a physical button or lever

This is at least a step towards sanity!

Touchscreens are undoubtedly great, charming, and sleek. But like everything, they are not suitable for every situation. In conservative industries like automobiles, I would expect such changes to take much longer, be thoroughly tested, and proven appropriate before being released as a marketing feature to the general public.