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Is in-car tech making drivers safer or more distracted?
Why a third of drivers are switching off car safety features
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 29/09/2026
Ryan Barham
Last updated: 29/09/2026
If you’ve bought a new car in recent years, you might have been taken aback by just how much technology there is now.
From infotainment screens to automated safety features like lane assistance, you may find some useful and others irritating. You’re not alone, with the latest Tempcover research discovering:
The most commonly disabled features, according to the 2,000 UK motorists polled, are:
The reasons given by drivers for turning these off were mainly due to irritations and inconvenience: 51% turned features off due to constant beeps and chimes, 40% as they didn’t like a car steering or braking without input, 35% due to false warnings and 27% due to the system offering incorrect info like misreading speed signs.
This isn’t unique to Tempcover’s survey. Research from Which? Magazine found that 54% of the UK’s drivers have deactivated at least one of the five key Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Their survey found speed assist as the most commonly switched off.
These factors raise the question of how safe these features really are…
With 30% of drivers having experienced a near miss caused by in-car tech, it remains important to stay in control of your vehicle. You can get 3 penalty points if you do not have a full view of the road or proper control of your vehicle.
The features drivers said caused their most recent miss were as follows:
Another touchy (excuse the pun) feature of modern cars is the introduction of touchscreens. 62% of drivers said they want manufacturers to bring back physical buttons and dials for climate and volume, with only 12% disagreeing. This could be because drivers want to feel like they are in control of their vehicle and its functions.
Since January 2026, Euro NCAP started factoring physical controls into its 5-star ratings, meaning cars without tactile switches for indicators, hazard lights, wipers and the horn can lose points. The likes of Volkswagen, Hyundai and Nissan have already reverted to a mixture of physical and digital controls.
Despite the above experiences and concerns, 55% of drivers still believe that modern tech makes driving safer overall.
Claire Wills-Mckissick
Senior Customer Experience Manager
The data shows most drivers agree that in-car tech makes roads safer - and features like automatic emergency braking and lane assist are designed to do just that. “At the same time, the data reveals that when drivers don't feel confident using these systems, many switch them off - and a system that's been disabled isn't protecting anyone. Bridging that gap will take continued improvement, both in how these technologies develop and in how drivers learn to use them. “That's especially true when getting behind the wheel of an unfamiliar vehicle. Temporary car insurance makes it easy to borrow a friend or family member's car legally, giving drivers the chance to experience different vehicles and their technology before committing to a purchase.
Claire Wills-Mckissick
Senior Customer Experience Manager
Our survey has revealed that drivers are sometimes struggling with the tech features in their own car. What about if you find yourself driving someone else’s car?
Whether you’re borrowing a mate’s car or sharing a drive, you’ll want to know what the various dings, chimes and notifications mean.
As Claire suggests above, you can take out temporary car insurance to get familiar with a friend or family member’s car’s controls before heading off on any journey. Comprehensive as standard, this policy also won’t affect the owner’s no claims discount.
It’s also worth checking your own policy details to see if you have Driving Other Cars (DOC) cover. If you do, be aware that this is usually third party only and normally won’t pay out for damage to the car you’re borrowing. If you’re at fault, you could end up covering the repair bill.
Before starting your journey, you should take some time out to learn the basics. Adjust the mirrors and seat so you’re comfortable and locate the indicators, hazard lights and wipers - especially if they’re controlled by screen. You should also consider the following:
Taking these small steps should help make your journey go smoother - and stop yourself getting alarmed.
Survey of 2,000 UK drivers, commissioned by RVU on behalf of Tempcover, conducted by OnePoll, 27 July - 3 August 2026.
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/driving-tech/is-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-car-touchscreens
No, manufacturers generally allow drivers to toggle these systems off through the car's own menu or button each time you start the engine. That said, you're still legally responsible for staying in control of your vehicle and within the speed limit, whether the aids are switched on or off.
Usually not, if you're just using the car's built-in on/off control. If you've had a system permanently disabled by a specialist, this will count as a modification and needs to be declared to your insurer.
Most do. The UK hasn't brought in the same legal requirement as the EU, but the majority of new cars sold here are built to the same specification, so features like lane keeping assist and intelligent speed assistance tend to come as standard anyway.
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