this post was submitted on 05 Mar 2024
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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 fiddle with, while driving, is what you can operate from the steering wheel. You're not supposed to fiddle with radio, AC etc. from the center 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 there 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. If it's not a critical system, you shouldn't be using it, physical buttons or not.
I've never seen a car where you can adjust the AC from the wheel.
Same, I've got an Opel Corsa from 2016, so it's pretty much brand new.
The only things in the wheel are the speed control, wipers, and default lights.
For everything else required for driving, such as fog lights, emergency lights, front and back Window heating, AC, radio, and of course the shift stick, I'll need to remove a hand from the wheel.
Luckily for me, the Touchscreen in the middle only handles less important things like navigation and external music sources.
Wait, you don't even get radio volume, next track etc on the wheel?
Oh right, I do actually have track, volume, and "take call" on the wheel. I think I did use them once, but it just never stuck since they felt awkward to use.
Mine can 🤷♂️ thought that was just about normal these days actually.
How much crap is on your steering wheel? What model of car is this, anyway?
Are you counting the stalks behind the wheel as on the steering wheel?
It's funny that hazard lights are not included in the list and while they're not part of a touch screen interface for any car as far as I know, I also know some older cars used to mount that button on top of the steering wheel and I kind of wish we could go back to that.
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.
Is there any place left for your hands? I have never, ever seen a car that is built like that.
Its all placed in the left/right spokes of the steering wheel, your hands shouldn't grab that part...how the hell do you grab it if that stuff is in the way!?