Anytime one can keep their hands on the wheel while performing other tasks, it's a benefit. It's also safer. Look at most modern Ferrari's and race cars for example, both of which have steering wheel controls.
Although it's possible to inadvertently increase/decrease the volume or change the channel while driving the benefits far outweight the virtually nil disadvantage. Besides, one can always leave the radio off.
Oddly enough, GM thought the same thing.
