Overview
- The requirement took effect on January 1 with an €80 penalty for noncompliance and no grace period, with authorities stressing that the device must be connected.
- A public website shows V‑16 beacons in real time and logged 1,873 activations on the first day, feeding data to traffic panels and navigation apps.
- Cybersecurity specialists caution that openly accessible location data could help criminals target stopped vehicles or impersonate recovery services.
- Drivers and taxi groups report limited effectiveness in daylight, on secondary roads, in curves and in fog, even as supporters note the safety benefit of avoiding roadside walking.
- DGT withdrew certification from four connected models shortly before enforcement, creating confusion, though units bought earlier remain valid as editors call for oversight of pricing and device claims.