Overview
- Spain will require the V-16 emergency beacon from January 1, replacing traditional warning triangles.
- A widely shared video from Bilbao’s Basurto neighborhood shows a car’s turn signals appearing brighter than an activated V-16, fueling online criticism that the mandate is a money grab.
- DGT advises placing the beacon on the roof or at the driver’s window height to maximize visibility.
- In the Bilbao footage, the beacon was attached laterally near the trunk and filmed from a high angle, circumstances observers say can diminish its apparent brightness.
- DGT highlights a dual purpose for the device: warning nearby drivers with a flashing light and transmitting the vehicle’s location to the DGT 3.0 platform for real-time alerts on road signs and compatible navigators.