Spain's traffic chief urges drivers to carry V‑16 emergency beacon this summer

Pere Navarro, director general of Spain’s Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), told drivers at a Nueva Economía Fórum briefing that the V‑16 emergency beacon is mandatory for any vehicle in case of breakdown or accident and should be kept in the glove compartment during the summer. He emphasized that the V‑16 offers clear advantages over traditional warning triangles – it does not require the driver to exit the vehicle, it is illuminated and linked to the DGT, which he described as “an immense leap” for road safety.

Navarro criticised the lack of public pride in the device, noting that Spain is the only country with this invention and that it has become the subject of memes. He also pointed to political criticism, especially from the Partido Popular and Vox, which have called for the measure’s repeal.

The DGT will enforce the rule: police can fine drivers who do not have the beacon when an incident occurs, and lack of the device could complicate accident reports and insurance claims. Navarro warned that drivers should “make an effort” to keep the V‑16 in the glove compartment, trusting that common sense will prevail.

He also highlighted broader safety efforts, including new mobile radars for construction zones, the points‑based licence system that has saved over 10,000 lives, and proposals to reduce the legal blood‑alcohol limit. These measures aim to lower the 28 % of fatal crashes linked to alcohol and the 22 % linked to speed.