The Dgt Shows Drivers How To Use The New V16 Emergency Beacon – And It Could Save Your Life

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The DGT explains really to usage nan caller V16 emergency beacon, mandatory from 2026. Credit : garciaadrian, Shutterstock

If you still person those aged reddish informing triangles sitting successful your boot, you mightiness want to commencement reasoning astir an upgrade. Spain’s Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) has released a caller infographic explaining precisely really to usage nan V16 connected emergency beacon, a mini flashing ray that will soon switch nan classical triangles successful each car crossed nan country.

This isn’t conscionable different gadget to adhd to your mitt compartment. The V16 is group to go mandatory successful 2026, marking a awesome alteration successful really Spanish drivers respond to accidents aliases breakdowns connected nan road. And pinch nan DGT’s caller ocular guide, there’s really nary excuse to beryllium caught unprepared.

Goodbye Triangles, Hello V16

The DGT’s connection is clear: by January 1, 2026, each driver will request to transportation a V16 emergency ray successful their vehicle. This mini yellowish beacon is designed to switch nan reflective triangles that galore of america still usage – and it’s overmuch safer.

Why? Because you don’t moreover request to measurement retired of your car to usage it. The DGT reminds drivers that nan V16 beacon tin beryllium activated from wrong nan conveyance and placed connected nan tile successful seconds. It emits a powerful 360-degree flashing yellowish ray visible from up to 1 kilometre away, alerting different roadworthy users instantly.

Each instrumentality includes a artillery pinch a minimum lifespan of 18 months and built-in connectivity acknowledgment to an integrated GPS spot and non-removable SIM card. This ensures that your location tin beryllium transmitted to Spain’s connected postulation web – without immoderate subscription aliases other fees – for astatine slightest 12 years.

In short, nan V16 isn’t conscionable a replacement for triangles; it’s a safer, smarter, and much connected instrumentality that could genuinely prevention lives successful vulnerable roadside situations.

How to enactment successful an emergency: The DGT’s 4 scenarios

To clear up nan disorder astir really and erstwhile to usage nan caller beacon, nan DGT published a adjuvant infographic connected its charismatic X (formerly Twitter) account. It outlines 4 different situations drivers mightiness look and really to grip each 1 safely.

1- If you tin support driving: Turn connected your hazard lights and exit nan roadworthy arsenic soon arsenic imaginable utilizing nan right-hand enarthrosis until you scope a safe exit.

2- If your car breaks down: Pull complete onto nan shoulder, support your hazard lights on, activate nan V16 beacon, and spot it connected nan tile aliases highest visible portion of your vehicle.

3- If it’s unsafe to get out: Stay wrong your car pinch your seatbelt fastened until conditions improve. Only exit if you tin scope a unafraid area without stepping onto nan road.

4- If you request help: Remember that nan V16 is not an automatic distress signal. You’ll still request to telephone for assistance utilizing your mobile telephone aliases your car’s built-in eCall strategy if it has one.

The DGT besides reminds drivers to support nan V16 wrong scope astatine each times, ideally successful nan mitt compartment, truthful it’s easy to drawback and usage erstwhile needed.

Not each V16 Beacon is ineligible – Here’s really to know

Now, earlier you unreserved to bargain 1 online, there’s thing important to support successful mind: not each V16 lights connected nan marketplace are approved.

The DGT warns that while galore brands already waste beacons claiming to beryllium “connected”, only those that meet nan charismatic DGT certification will beryllium valid from 2026. Some models deficiency due connectivity aliases don’t meet information standards, meaning they won’t beryllium legally recognised.

To debar buying nan incorrect one, nan DGT has published an official database of approved V16 models connected its website. Each authorised merchandise comes pinch a downloadable certificate confirming that it meets each method requirements.

The DGT besides clarified that these approved devices must guarantee a minimum of 12 years of connectivity without users having to salary extra. That’s made imaginable acknowledgment to nan SIM spot embedded wrong nan device, which connects straight to Spain’s roadworthy information platform.

Why nan alteration matters – and why it’s safer

The displacement from reflective triangles to connected V16 beacons isn’t conscionable astir modernisation; it’s astir reducing roadside accidents. Over nan years, galore drivers person been injured aliases killed while stepping on motorways to spot informing triangles aft a breakdown.

The caller strategy intends you nary longer request to consequence stepping onto nan road. You simply move connected nan beacon and spot it connected nan tile – each without leaving your seat.

The ray remains visible for up to a kilometre successful perfect conditions, though its visibility decreases successful bad weather, for illustration fog, snow, aliases dense rain. Still, it offers acold amended protection than stepping into postulation to group up old-fashioned triangles.

The DGT besides stresses nan value of keeping nan beacon’s artillery charged and making judge it’s ever stored location accessible, for illustration nan mitt box. When seconds count, having nan instrumentality to manus could make each nan difference.

A connected early for drivers successful Spain

By 2026, nan V16 will beryllium nan only accepted emergency awesome instrumentality connected Spanish roads. It’s small, smart, and easy to usage – and nan DGT wants everyone to commencement familiarising themselves pinch it now.

So adjacent clip you cheque your car’s emergency kit, make judge there’s room for 1 of these beacons. It could beryllium nan astir important point you’ll ever support successful your mitt compartment.

And if you’re still unsure really it works? The DGT’s caller infographic is nan cleanable spot to start. After all, erstwhile it comes to roadworthy safety, being prepared is ever amended than being lucky.

Stay tuned pinch Euro Weekly News for much news astir Motoring

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