Even if the General Directorate of Traffic has been warning for several years about the entry into force of V16 beacons, the date is approaching and since January 1, 2026 V16 Connected Lights will be the only device mandatory pre-signaling for broken down or damaged vehicles, although there are exceptions.
Drivers must therefore stop using emergency triangles to warn if they suffer an incident on the road, due to the risk represented by their placement on the asphalt. However, it arises doubt about the legality of continuing to use triangles pre-signalling in addition to the V16 beacon, that is to say placing them at the same time to increase the visibility of the damaged vehicle.
Is placing triangles on the road worth a fine?
Until January 1, 2026, it will be legal to use both pre-signaling devices in the event of a breakdown on the road. However, since this date emergency triangles will not be valid and the only mandatory pre-signalling system will be the V16 Connected beacon according to DGT regulations.
However, the case in question refers to the situation in which a driver once activates his V16 also decides to place the warning triangles to supposedly become more visible. For the moment, the General Directorate of Traffic has not yet taken a position on the issue, therefore we will have to wait for his decision.
Very good if you do not wear the V16 tag from January
The General Directorate of Traffic determines that The penalty will be the same as for not wearing emergency triangles.or up to 80 euros. So, from 2026, if we suffer a breakdown and stop on the shoulder without turning on the V16 emergency lighting, the Civil Guard may fine us an equivalent amount.
Likewise, leaving the vehicle without putting on the reflective vest is considers a serious offense for the DGTwhich can result in a fine of 200 euros and the withdrawal of four points of license to drive.
Reasons why the DGT makes V16 Connected mandatory
The General Directorate of Traffic defends that its implementation is due to the fact that the V16 Connected is the only system that avoids the risk of being run over while walking between 50 and 100 meters along the road or shoulder to place emergency triangles.
For this reason, and based on its experience and its own studies (which are not published on its website), The DGT will require more than 25 million vehicles to be equipped with this beacon always in an easily accessible interior location, such as the glove box. If you do not have an approved Connected V16, The Civil Guard can impose a sanction.
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