Gen Z’s pink dashboard trend has experts worried—is their love of ‘aesthetic’ putting lives at risk?
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What started as a fun new trend among younger drivers has quickly attracted the attention of road safety experts.
A seemingly harmless tweak to in-car technology has gone viral—but it could be more dangerous than it looks.
Authorities are now stepping in, warning that the risks may outweigh the aesthetics.
What looked like a fun way to personalise your car’s tech has quickly turned into a cause for concern—and authorities weren’t impressed.
A wave of Gen Z drivers went viral after discovering a way to turn their Apple CarPlay screens pink, showing off their results on social media and encouraging others to follow suit.
But while the trend exploded online, road safety experts were left unimpressed by what they described as a potentially dangerous distraction.
According to Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, global searches for ‘pink CarPlay’ surged by 1,061 per cent in the past year alone, with a 177 per cent spike in the last month. One Aussie creator, known online as @livingwithtay_, jumped on the trend earlier this week, sharing a step-by-step guide in a video that quickly racked up more than 150,000 views.
‘You’re going to go into your settings, then you’re going to check that your appearance is on automatic,’ she explained.
‘Go back [into setting], hit into wallpaper and select your colour of choice.’
‘Then you go back, into accessibility, check to make sure your colour filter is on, then select Red/Green, and it will make the change for you.’
‘Is that not the cutest thing?’
Source: TikTok/girlmombrea
While the transformation may be cute to some, the backlash was anything but. Experts said that customising your display in this way could lead to serious issues, especially for those behind the wheel.
James Williams, Head of Policy at the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), issued a clear warning to drivers caught up in the hype: ‘RACV does not recommend changing a car’s inbuilt display factory settings, including the colour scheme, as this could lead to increased driver distraction.’
He went on to say: ‘As infotainment systems become more complex and more functions are available to be used while driving, this will become a critical issue.
‘RACV urges motorists to remember that the car is not an entertainment platform, but a vehicle that requires focus and concentration to be driven safely.’
The method circulating online made use of a function intended for people with colour blindness—specifically those who cannot perceive red light. Adjusting these accessibility settings for the sake of aesthetics, experts warned, could unintentionally make emergency information difficult to read, especially under pressure.
Transport for NSW supported the RACV’s position, but added that the only exception might be when a car’s display is already too distracting.
‘If the background on your car’s display is distracting—like a bright, flashy colour—drivers should change it to something that helps them stay focused,’ a spokesperson told shared.
Whether the pink CarPlay fad continues or fades out, the warning from authorities remained clear: what might look pretty could end in disaster if it pulls your eyes away from the road.
With so many tech trends popping up behind the wheel, do you think today’s drivers are taking too many risks for the sake of style? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In a previous story, we looked at another creative Gen Z trend—this time inside the home—as young people began repurposing household appliances as makeshift storage.
While it might seem quirky at first, these habits raise important questions about practicality, safety and how far some are willing to go for aesthetic or space-saving hacks.
If you’ve ever found an old appliance too good to throw out, you might find that one worth a look too.
Read more: Gen Z turns household appliances into storage in growing trend
A seemingly harmless tweak to in-car technology has gone viral—but it could be more dangerous than it looks.
Authorities are now stepping in, warning that the risks may outweigh the aesthetics.
What looked like a fun way to personalise your car’s tech has quickly turned into a cause for concern—and authorities weren’t impressed.
A wave of Gen Z drivers went viral after discovering a way to turn their Apple CarPlay screens pink, showing off their results on social media and encouraging others to follow suit.
But while the trend exploded online, road safety experts were left unimpressed by what they described as a potentially dangerous distraction.
Pink CarPlay trend raises safety concerns. Image source: TikTok/@girlmombrea
According to Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, global searches for ‘pink CarPlay’ surged by 1,061 per cent in the past year alone, with a 177 per cent spike in the last month. One Aussie creator, known online as @livingwithtay_, jumped on the trend earlier this week, sharing a step-by-step guide in a video that quickly racked up more than 150,000 views.
‘You’re going to go into your settings, then you’re going to check that your appearance is on automatic,’ she explained.
‘Go back [into setting], hit into wallpaper and select your colour of choice.’
‘Then you go back, into accessibility, check to make sure your colour filter is on, then select Red/Green, and it will make the change for you.’
‘Is that not the cutest thing?’
Source: TikTok/girlmombrea
While the transformation may be cute to some, the backlash was anything but. Experts said that customising your display in this way could lead to serious issues, especially for those behind the wheel.
James Williams, Head of Policy at the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), issued a clear warning to drivers caught up in the hype: ‘RACV does not recommend changing a car’s inbuilt display factory settings, including the colour scheme, as this could lead to increased driver distraction.’
He went on to say: ‘As infotainment systems become more complex and more functions are available to be used while driving, this will become a critical issue.
‘RACV urges motorists to remember that the car is not an entertainment platform, but a vehicle that requires focus and concentration to be driven safely.’
The method circulating online made use of a function intended for people with colour blindness—specifically those who cannot perceive red light. Adjusting these accessibility settings for the sake of aesthetics, experts warned, could unintentionally make emergency information difficult to read, especially under pressure.
Transport for NSW supported the RACV’s position, but added that the only exception might be when a car’s display is already too distracting.
‘If the background on your car’s display is distracting—like a bright, flashy colour—drivers should change it to something that helps them stay focused,’ a spokesperson told shared.
Whether the pink CarPlay fad continues or fades out, the warning from authorities remained clear: what might look pretty could end in disaster if it pulls your eyes away from the road.
With so many tech trends popping up behind the wheel, do you think today’s drivers are taking too many risks for the sake of style? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
In a previous story, we looked at another creative Gen Z trend—this time inside the home—as young people began repurposing household appliances as makeshift storage.
While it might seem quirky at first, these habits raise important questions about practicality, safety and how far some are willing to go for aesthetic or space-saving hacks.
If you’ve ever found an old appliance too good to throw out, you might find that one worth a look too.
Read more: Gen Z turns household appliances into storage in growing trend
