As of yesterday, the V-16 emergency beacon became obligatory for Spanish-registered vehicles in Spain, supposedly replacing the emergency triangles.

Most drivers, however, will keep hold of the triangles because they are arguably more effective than the beacon light placed on the car roof – both have their advantages, so it is best to keep your triangles in your boot.

This device, which only appears to be obligatory in Spain, is intended to reduce the number of deaths on Spanish road, as a result of drivers getting out of their cars after they have broken down.

The Head of the DGT, Pere Navarro, appeared on national TV to answer questions where he stated that the V-16 beacon “was all advantages.”

“Every year we have 25 deaths from being hit after getting out of the car,” he said pointing to the fact that you don’t have to get out of your car to put the beacon on your roof. Keeping it in your boot, therefore is not recommended.

The other advantage is that it is not only a visible warning light, but it also emits a signal to the DGT: “You just have to take it out of the glove box, turn it on, and place it on the roof. From inside. It’s that simple,” he insisted

So let’s take a closer look, as this move has certainly stirred up a little controversy. People have pointed out that during daylight, it’s hardly visible, whereas a triangle you can see.

Furthermore, what happens when you break down just around a sharp bend where drivers approaching from behind can’t see the beacon until it’s too late… but they can see a triangle placed before the bend. When this point was put to him he responded, “What do you want? To get out of the car to place the triangle on the sharp bend and get yourself run over?” Many might consider that sitting in your car, waiting to get rammed from behind is just as dangerous.

Regarding geolocation, he denied any individual tracking. “The beacon sends data without any identification; it only tells us that there is a vehicle stopped,” he stressed.

One point that was cleared up was that vehicles with foreign license plates will not be required to carry the beacon and must continue using triangles, while Spanish drivers travelling abroad won’t be legally covered if they do not carry them. In other words, tourists coming into the country won’t get fined for not having a beacon.

Lastly, the use of triangles is not forbidden, although you still have to have the beacon, and if you are going to travel through Europe, it is obligatory to have triangles in your vehicle.

(News: Spain)

Keywords: V-16 Beacon, DGT, Use, Triangles, Foreign Number Plates, Visibility

news, spain, v-16 beacon, dgt, use, triangles, foreign number plates, visibility

Reader’s comment: “The dgt.challux.com is riddled with connectivity issues !!.” – Malcolm Staite

Reader’s comment: “Would have been very interested to know how to use a V16 on an aluminium bodied convertible. Where should I stick it? ( I do have one idea) – Michael

Reader’s comment: “I’ve seen two beacons being used recently, one in daylight, which you could hardly see and one at night, which was visible from a distance. As will all things there are always points in favour and points against change. We’re definitely keeping our triangles, I’m sure like flares, that’s the trousers, they’ll come back in fashion. Happy New Year” – Melanie Briggs Kid

Reader’s comment: “This can be seen as an increase in taxes on cars: €200-300 million VAT in a few weeks. It also reminds me of the stories of covid masks: Let’s wait to see who “eventually”? paid/received commissions to make the gimick mandatory” – Pierre