Decreasing operating safety: ADAC tightens evaluation criteria

In the past seven years, the cars evaluated by ADAC have become increasingly worse in one respect, despite legal approval requirements: distraction due to operation has increased, and driving safety has deteriorated. The ADAC argues, based on regular measurements, that the trend of moving as much operation as possible to touchscreens, in particular, makes cars increasingly unsafe. Since safety is a very central criterion in its vehicle tests, the club therefore feels compelled to evaluate usability more strictly within the scope of its car tests, even though it would certainly do so with the greatest reluctance for reasons of comparability.

This was preceded by an evaluation of its test results from the past seven years. For example, in the “ADAC Autotest” in 2019, vehicles received an average grade of 2.3 for the sub-criterion “Operation,” with the worst grade awarded being 3.2. The spectrum thus ranged from “good” to “satisfactory.” In 2025, however, with unchanged criteria, the average grade is only 2.7, and the worst result was rated 4.0. Thus, only between “satisfactory” and “sufficient.”

Increasingly software-driven operation via touchscreens and buttons without haptic feedback, along with mirroring and nested menu structures, prolongs operating times and distraction. Both are known to be crucial factors for an increased risk of accidents. The use of other devices while driving is strictly prohibited for the same reasons.

The club follows Euro NCAP

Like the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) already at the beginning of 2024, the automobile club is now changing its evaluation. Accordingly, in the future, full points will only be awarded if the turn signal, hazard warning lights, horn, windshield wipers, and eCall are accessible as buttons or switches with tactile feedback. Less important functions must be available with one or two steps in the vehicle's submenu.

“Critically question” vehicle operation

Like Euro NCAP, ADAC also wants to contribute to vehicle manufacturers “critically questioning” the current trend in vehicle operation. For the automotive industry, the use of touchscreens is indeed cheaper to produce in the short term. However, the majority of its customers do not only wish for more physical controls for safety reasons. In the long term, they could therefore contribute with their purchasing decisions to the proven operation returning at least partially.

Tesla continues to rely on tap and swipe controls, while Volkswagen was one of the first manufacturers to announce a corresponding reversal. Whether this is about a better rating at Euro NCAP or, as is preferred to be claimed, about implementing driver wishes, the group could win back some of its customers, who have also been lost for other reasons.

(fpi)