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Spain’s V‑16 Roadside Beacons Now Mandatory as Triangles Are Retired, but Questions Persist

Officials say the new rule reduces the risk drivers face on the hard shoulder.

Overview

  • In force since Jan. 1, the regulation makes the roof‑mounted V‑16 the required roadside warning device, with €80 fines for missing or invalid units.
  • Days before rollout, the DGT revoked certification for four connected models and moved them to a list of expired approvals, though units purchased earlier remain valid.
  • Road‑safety groups including Automovilistas Europeos Asociados and Stop Accidentes support the shift, highlighting 360‑degree visibility and alerts via DGT 3.0 to navigation systems and panels.
  • Drivers and taxi representatives report limited visibility in daytime, on curves, and in fog on secondary roads, despite stronger performance at night on high‑speed routes.
  • For cross‑border trips, the DGT instructs that Spanish‑registered vehicles may use the beacon without triangles, but connectivity will not function outside Spain and carrying triangles and a vest is advised to prevent disputes.