Didn’t you know? Starting January 1, 2026, you’ll be required by law to have this light (turned on) in your car

A recent study has shown that many drivers in Spain are still unaware of a major change in road safety regulations that will come into effect on January 1, 2026. As of July 2023, it will no longer be mandatory to use the familiar triangles to signal an emergency on motorways or dual carriageways; however, they should not be abandoned: their use remains mandatory on  secondary roads, as stated by the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT).

The worrying thing is that almost half of drivers— 48% —don’t know that this new measure will be mandatory. Even more surprising: only 12.4% know that the V-16 light that will be required must be the connected version.

The study, which included 250 drivers with an average age of 44.8 years, highlights the importance of strengthening awareness of this regulation. As the deadline approaches, it is crucial that drivers understand the mandatory use of connected V-16 lights and prepare adequately for its implementation.

The goal of this new regulation is to increase road safety and reduce accidents related to signaling incidents. However, its effectiveness will largely depend on drivers’ level of information and preparation.

Road safety when   signaling incidents on the road has   long been a concern of traffic officials, and this has materialized in the introduction of  lighting devices  and their subsequent evolution to  V16 geolocated beacons , which will be mandatory in the not-too-distant future.

These new devices not only prevent vehicle occupants from putting themselves at risk when signaling an emergency, but also provide a visual indicator of the position of the disabled vehicle, alerting the DGT (Directorate-General for Traffic) and other connected vehicles of the incident and its location.

SOLE LEGAL DEVICE AS OF JANUARY 2026

The V16 is an accident pre-signaling device that replaces traditional triangles to indicate that a vehicle has become immobilized on the road or that its load has fallen onto it. It will be the only legal hazard pre-signaling device from January 1, 2026.

It’s a small yellow beacon equipped with connectivity and capable of emitting a  high-intensity 360° light intermittently and continuously for at least 30 minutes. It includes a battery with a minimum lifespan of 18 months, regardless of whether it’s rechargeable.

REAL-TIME INFORMATION OF THE STOPPED VEHICLE

The DGT indicates that, once it becomes mandatory, drivers will have to adapt to a new system that seeks to improve visibility and efficiency in reporting road incidents.

“We should carry it in our vehicle’s glove compartment and, in the event of a breakdown or accident, we can activate it in a matter of seconds, preferably by placing it on the roof of the vehicle. At that moment, in addition to emitting the  warning light, it will connect to the DGT 3.0 platform to transmit its location in real time and alert other road users of the situation,” explains the DGT.

This measure seeks to eliminate the risks associated with the placement of traditional warning triangles, whose installation on roads has been a danger to  drivers, especially on high-speed roads. Thus, the new V16 device will become the  only legal hazard warning system  as of the established date, marking a turning point in road safety.

SPAIN, THE FIRST EU COUNTRY TO IMPLEMENT MANDATORY

Spain is the first country to make the use of this device mandatory as a measure to reduce the risks arising from frequent road immobilization. For this reason, the General Directorate of Traffic has published an Instruction to clarify, on the one hand, the mandatory nature and conditions of its use in international circulation for vehicles registered in Spain and, on the other, compliance with this regulation in international circulation within Spain for vehicles registered in other countries.

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH V16S ARE APPROVED?

Models already approved with geolocation are being updated on the DGT website, where new approved geolocation models will be added.