This gets said a lot, but I'd like to see a study that suggests that people use buttons in their car without looking. It's reasonable to say it's easier to hit the button, and might require less looking, but I'd bet almost everyone looks at the button before pressing it.
You are mostly right. I do glance to find a physical button, but I have to look to find the touchscreen button and keep looking to verify my finger is on it.
It's a large difference in time.
Properly designed buttons should also have various shapes and textures so your fingers learn which ones are which by feel. Airplanes do this - for example, the knob to lower the landing gear is a little tire. The knob to lower the flaps has a knob shaped like a wing on it.
I come from the aircraft industry where this is a big deal, but the auto people go for a "cool" look rather than a "safe and reliable" look.
