Flashing light replaced warning triangle: new safety standard for Spain!

Ab 2026 ersetzt die V-16 Warnleuchte das Warndreieck auf spanischen Autobahnen, um Verkehrssicherheit zu erhöhen.
From 2026, the V-16 warning light will replace the warning triangle on Spanish motorways to increase traffic safety. (Symbolbild/ER)

Flashing light replaced warning triangle: new safety standard for Spain!

Spanien - From January 1, 2026, there will be no classic warning triangles on Spanish highways. Instead, modern V-16 warning lights come into force. This regulation, which was introduced by the Spanish traffic authority DGT, is intended to increase the safety of road users. Setting up the warning triangle has a great risk, since drivers have to leave their vehicle, which is particularly dangerous on busy highways. This risk can be minimized with the new warning light.

The V-16 warning light is placed on the vehicle roof and is a compact, portable device that sends a yellow flashing light with a range of up to one kilometer. It also has a mobile phone connection that transmits the position of the vehicle to the traffic authority and the emergency services every 100 seconds. Data protection is observed, since only the location is transmitted and the transmission is ended when the light is switched off. This information provides Merkur .

How the V-16 warning light works

The V-16 warning lamp works effectively by radiating a continuous, 360º visible flashing light for at least 30 minutes. It is operated by batteries or a rechargeable power source and has a lifespan of at least 18 months. This ensures that drivers have a functioning security system at all times. The advantage of this technology is that setting up on the street is no longer necessary, which significantly increases the safety of drivers. In the event of a breakdown or an accident, the driver can easily attach the lamp without having to leave the vehicle. This is particularly important in adverse weather conditions, since visibility is significantly improved.

In order to avoid possible fines, it is important that drivers only use the approved V-16 warning lights that are listed in the official list of the DGT. The classic warning triangles and non-connecting V-16 warning lights are still permitted until the new regulation comes into force. Traffic safety comes first, and the DGT recommends considering the use of the flashing warning lights on country roads in order to increase visibility and the feeling of security, as is also the case on DetailsOrtSpanienQuellen