The V16 is a pre-accident warning device that replaces the classic triangles to indicate that the car has stopped moving on the road or that its load has fallen on it.
The General Traffic Department was established … In March 2021, the traditional emergency triangle will be replaced by the V-16 connected light beacon. It is a small yellow beacon with communication capabilities capable of emitting high-intensity 360-degree light intermittently and continuously for at least 30 minutes. It includes a cell or battery with a useful life of at least 18 months, regardless of whether it is rechargeable or not.
This device, which transmits the vehicle’s real-time location to the DGT 3.0 platform, will become the only system approved for indicating breakdowns or accidents on Spanish roads from January 1, 2026.
With only a few days left until the legal deadline expires, PONS’ consultancy Impulso has published a report warning of the legal risks in five areas – civil, administrative, criminal, insurance and industrial – arising from non-compliance with this new legal obligation.
Given that Spain has more than 34 million insured vehicles (according to the FIA), the entry into force of the connected V-16 represents a “paradigm change in safety on Spanish roads.” Ignorance or non-compliance with this rule can have serious consequences for drivers, owners and manufacturers, especially regarding the legal risks of non-compliance with V-16.
In the field of civil liability, the driver can be held directly liable for damages caused to third parties due to the lack of signage or poor visibility, which may lead to legal claims and the obligation to pay compensation.
In insurance, insurers have the power to exclude coverage in cases of gross negligence; If it is proven that the failure to indicate was a breach, the insurer can exercise a recourse action, demanding from the insured the amounts already paid to the injured parties.
Criminally, ignoring signs can be classified as serious recklessness if it is found to be the direct cause of injuries or deaths, with the driver facing imprisonment and deprivation of the right to drive.
In the administrative field, the responsibility is double: the owner for not providing the vehicle with the mandatory signal and maintaining it, and the driver for not using it properly, which results in financial fines ranging from 80 to 200 euros.
Finally, manufacturers, laboratories and importers who do not comply with Industrial Safety Law No. 21/1992 when manufacturing V-16 engines may face fines ranging from €60,000 to €100 million, and even suspension or closure of the business for up to five years.
Furthermore, the Impulso by PONS report highlights that a driver who tampers with the device, purchases an unapproved model or neglects basic vehicle safety checks loses the presumption of good faith. This situation may complicate their legal defense and increase their liability in judicial or administrative proceedings.
The report concludes that in a country with millions of vehicles in circulation, “in addition to complying with regulations is a matter of legal responsibility, it is also a matter of commitment to the safety of all road users. The entry into force of the V16 connected signal represents a milestone in safety on Spanish roads but also a major responsibility for the owners of more than 34 million vehicles plying our roads today.”
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