Ancap Announces New Safety Protocols for Driver Interfaces

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (Ancap), in cooperation with the European New Car Assessment Programme, announced new design protocols for driver-interface technology to be implemented over the next three years. The initiative targets advanced driver-assistance systems (Adas) that are intrusive, confusing, or poorly calibrated, which critics argue increase driver distraction. Ancap will specifically recommend that critical controls, including horns, indicators, and wipers, return to physical buttons to eliminate the need for navigating complex screen menus while driving.

These changes follow research from the Monash University Accident Research Centre, which found that distraction and drowsiness contributed to 40% of crashes resulting in hospital visits in Victoria. The program emphasizes that driver monitoring and speed assistance systems must be accurate and provide meaningful engagement to be effective.

Parallel to these safety ratings, the Australian federal government has mandated that all passenger vehicles imported into Australia must include autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assist technology starting March 1, 2029. Large American utility vehicles are exempt from this requirement.