Spain is making V16 emergency flashing lights mandatory. However, this only applies to Spanish drivers. Let’s take a closer look at this device.
At the beginning of the year, Spain made it official that, from 1 January 2026, motorists must be equipped with a V16 emergency beacon. This small round device will replace the emergency warning triangle, which is considered dangerous to place on the road and unstable, especially on fast roads. The beacon, which emits a 360° orange or yellow light, can be placed on the roof without having to get out of the vehicle or move away from it. It is visible from up to 1 kilometre away, even in poor visibility conditions such as fog or heavy rain. It is also equipped with a geolocation system to transmit the vehicle’s position to the Directorate General of Traffic (Spain) in real time, thus facilitating emergency response. However, it costs between £35 and £50. From next year, motorists with Spanish number plates will face fines of up to £200 if they fail to comply.
What about foreign number plates?
At the beginning of the year, there was some uncertainty as to whether this requirement would also apply to motorists with foreign number plates. However, in March, the Directorate General of Traffic confirmed that foreign vehicles would be exempt under the Vienna Convention. This text stipulates that countries may require, in order to allow ‘international traffic’ on their territory, that vehicles be equipped with a signalling device consisting of ‘a plate in the shape of an equilateral triangle’ or ‘any other device of equal effectiveness provided for by the legislation of the country where the vehicle is registered’.
Spain, a pioneer in road safety
More than twenty years ago, Spain was a pioneer in road safety when it made the wearing of yellow safety vests compulsory, four years ahead of France. In July 2004, Spanish law made it compulsory for all vehicles to carry a yellow vest in order to improve driver safety in the event of a breakdown or accident. France, meanwhile, did not adopt this measure until October 2008.
Spain’s lead in road safety could well inspire other countries to follow suit. Like the yellow vest, the V16 flashing light could become a new standard piece of equipment, providing increased safety for motorists in emergency situations.
For the time being, the issue has not been specifically raised in Luxembourg. However, it is not prohibited to use such a device in the event of a breakdown on Luxembourg territory. When asked, the police confirmed: “In principle, such an appropriate light signal may be used. An excess of signalling devices is not prohibited. However, we always recommend that you ensure your own safety when installing it.”
According to Article 171 of the Grand Ducal Decree of 23 November 1955, “The driver of an immobilised vehicle must use the hazard warning signal, provided that the vehicle is equipped with one. They must also signal the vehicle from a distance, either by means of the warning triangle provided for in Article 49 or by means of an appropriate light or reflective signal, placed at least 30 metres from the vehicle on normal roads and at least 100 metres from the vehicle on major roads; on major roads, the obligation to signal the vehicle from a distance only applies when the vehicle’s hazard warning lights are not working or when the vehicle is not equipped with them.”
According to the ACL, the Spanish initiative may prove interesting, particularly on major expressways. However, the warning triangle remains useful, particularly when a vehicle has broken down after a bend and other motorists cannot see that a vehicle is stationary.
