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Spain is the first country to mandate this luminous and connected device. DGT
The DGT Clarifies How and Where to Use the V16 Light

The DGT Clarifies How and Where to Use the V16 Light

J. Bacorelle

Viernes, 24 de enero 2025, 12:50

The V-16 signal is an emergency signalling device that has revolutionised the way we alert other drivers to an incident on the road. This small, disc-shaped, yellow device has replaced the traditional pre-warning triangle. The V-16 is connected to the DGT, allowing the broken-down vehicle to be geolocated and an alert to be sent to other drivers.

The V-16 should be used in the event of a breakdown, accident, or any other situation that requires the vehicle to stop on the road.

When the button is pressed, the V-16 activates and emits a high-intensity flashing light. The device connects to the DGT platform and transmits its location in real-time. Drivers in the area will receive an alert on their connected devices, informing them of the incident.

Since 1 July 2021, it replaces triangles in the event of vehicle immobilisation on the road, allowing the position to be signalled in the event of a breakdown or accident without the need to leave the vehicle, thus avoiding personal risks. It will be mandatory in its connected version from 1 January 2026. From that date, this luminous and connected device will be the only legal means for signalling immobilised vehicles, so cars, mixed vehicles, buses, and goods transport vehicles will be required to carry them as an accessory inside.

Spain is the first country to mandate this luminous and connected device, which raises questions about its use, especially regarding international travel.

According to the DGT, there are several Road Traffic Conventions currently in force. Both the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic of 19 September 1949 and the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 8 November 1968 include definitions for "international traffic," considering it as either involving crossing at least one border or as involving a vehicle belonging to a person or entity with normal residence outside the state or not registered in that state, among other definitions.

While the Geneva Convention does not provide a common rule for vehicle immobilisation situations on roads, the Vienna Convention states that countries may require, to allow international traffic through their territory, that the car carries a signalling device consisting of either "a plate in the form of an equilateral triangle" or "any other device of equal effectiveness prescribed by the legislation of the country in which the vehicle is registered."

Considering this, vehicles registered in other countries and in Spain in "international traffic" situations will comply with the regulations if they carry or use, if necessary, pre-warning triangles or any other device of similar functionality implemented in the country of origin's regulations.

If a vehicle registered in Spain is in "international traffic" in another country that is a signatory to the 1949 Road Traffic Convention (See countries) or the 1968 Road Traffic Convention (See countries), it will comply with the regulations by carrying or, if necessary, using the new V-16 luminous and connected pre-warning device, without needing to be equipped with pre-warning triangles.

Help Flash explains that, based on this legislation, "any vehicle registered in Spain that is in international traffic in another country that is a signatory to the 1968 Road Traffic Convention will comply with international road traffic regulations by carrying the new Spanish geolocated and luminous device, as it is recognised by Spanish regulations."

However, the company that created the emergency lights also points out that, since the connectivity of the V-16 lights only applies in Spanish territory, their effectiveness abroad will be solely visual. Additionally, most drivers, and even police officers in other European countries, are not familiar with the V-16 light signal, as it is a recent creation in Spain and may not yet be recognised.

"Therefore, it is most prudent, especially if planning to travel frequently to other countries, to inform oneself in advance about the destination country's regulations and adapt to them as much as possible, ensuring both safety and regulatory compliance. Although penalties may be appealable, it is important to note that we have just presented this project in Europe, so we still need time for different countries to become aware. The aim is that, in the future, all of Europe can have a unified connected signalling system using V-16 beacons, but there is still a way to go to achieve this," says Alejandro González, CMO of Help Flash.

Taking into account the same regulations, cars registered in other countries and travelling in Spain for less than a year must carry either a plate in the form of an equilateral triangle or any other device of equal effectiveness prescribed by the legislation of the country in which the vehicle is registered.

This means that vehicles from other countries in "international traffic" in Spain will comply with the internationally agreed multilateral regulations if they carry a plate in the form of a triangle or any other device of similar functionality implemented in the country of origin's regulations.

Although international legislation sets general conditions for vehicle travel in other countries, Help Flash emphasises the importance of reviewing the specific regulations of the destination country. "It is always advisable to carry, as far as possible, the safety elements required in the place to be visited, thus avoiding possible inconveniences, especially for those who travel frequently," concludes Alejandro González.

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