Touchscreens likely to be next major focus for fleet safety, says Arval UK

“Interestingly, it also reveals a variance between touchscreens. There is a 25% gap between the best and worst in the time taken to find and access safety-critical functions, depending on vehicle design.”

The report suggests future touchscreens should use clearly marked zones for critical functions such as wipers, indicators and headlights, or that manufacturers should instead fit physical controls instead.

Ian said: “It’s notable the authorities in China have recently stipulated physical buttons or switches for a range of key vehicle functions, including hazard lights, indicators, high beams, fog lights, wipers and washers, defrosting and defogging windows and more. These controls will have to be a certain size and give tactile or audible feedback.

“The Chinese regulators, following their own investigations into the potential risks of touchscreens, appear to be thinking along the same lines as the authors of the Allianz report. It seems to us an indication of a growing direction of travel for this area of fleet safety.”

He advocates that fleets should start to build this thinking into their own risk management.

“Developments such as the Allianz research and the new Chinese regulations seem to be creating a moment when touchscreens may become the next big fleet safety topic. While this is not a new conversation, the information available has improved.

“Most vehicles used by fleets in 2026 have at least some functions accessed through touchscreens, and sometimes those functions are buried deep in a sub-menu of a sub-menu. The potential for distraction on the road is substantial.

“There is certainly a case for fleets making drivers aware of the dangers that touchscreens represent and urging caution. It’s important they understand the technology, are familiar with how it works in their vehicle, and also prepare ahead of any journey.

“Specifically, drivers who are transitioning to key controls on a touchscreen after being used to physical buttons should take time to master their new dashboard before driving so they can stay focused and safe once moving.”

Any such campaign could be built into the forthcoming Brake Road Safety Week (15-21 November), Ian added. This year’s theme is Safe People on the Move.

“Brake is highlighting that road users with the potential to do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility – and fleet drivers in cars and vans using touchscreens can certainly pose a danger to pedestrians, cyclists and others.”

About Arval UK

Arval UK, part of the Arval Group, is a major actor in full-service vehicle leasing and a specialist in mobility solutions. As a BNP Paribas Group company, Arval funds over 200,000 cars and vans in the UK at the end of December 2025. Focused on customer experience, Arval UK has specialist teams dedicated to supporting a broad range of customers including individuals and small businesses with a single vehicle, through to FTSE 100 companies with thousands. It provides a comprehensive range of flexible solutions, products and services including vehicle funding, vehicle maintenance, accident management, breakdown service, short and medium term rental, insured lease vehicles, full outsourcing, salary sacrifice and consultancy services.

www.arval.co.uk

About Arval

Arval is a major actor in full-service vehicle leasing and a specialist in mobility solutions founded in 1989. Arval is fully owned by BNP Paribas and positioned within the Group’s Commercial, Personal Banking & Services division. As of July 31, 2026, Arval is leasing nearly 2.3 million vehicles worldwide. Every day, more than 10,000 Arval employees in 28 countries work with passion to accomplish Arval’s promise: offer flexible solutions to make journeys seamless and more sustainable for its customers, ranging from large international corporate groups to smaller companies and private customers. Arval is a founding member of the Element-Arval Global Alliance. The fleets of all the Alliance members represent more than 4.6 million vehicles in 54 countries. Arval’s CSR strategy was recognised by obtaining the EcoVadis platinum medal for the second consecutive year, which places it among the top 1% of companies assessed.

www.arval.com

About BNP Paribas

Leader in banking and financial services in Europe, BNP Paribas operates in 64 countries and has over 180,000 employees, including more than 146,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Group’s commercial & personal banking and several specialised businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realise their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. The Group has a historic footprint in four eurozone markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Türkiye, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group's performance and stability.

https://group.bnpparibas/en/