Why the V16 warning light replaces the warning triangle

Why the V16 warning light replaces the warning triangle

Introduction: The end of an era

The warning triangle – a faithful companion in the trunk of every car for decades.
Once celebrated as a life-saving invention, it is now outdated and even carries risks.
Spain, one of the busiest countries in Europe, has decided to finally replace the classic warning triangle from 2026 with a new technology: the V16 warning light.

What at first glance sounds like a small detail is actually a paradigm shift in traffic safety.
The V16 is not just a new device – it is a symbol of a digital, connected road traffic system where safety, technology, and efficiency merge.

1. The problem with the warning triangle

The traditional warning triangle comes from a time when vehicles were slower, roads emptier, and traffic conditions more manageable.
But in modern traffic situations, setting up the triangle poses significant dangers.

Statistics from the Spanish traffic authority DGT show:
Every year, more than 20 people die on Spanish highways while trying to set up a warning triangle.
The problem: The driver must leave the vehicle, with ongoing traffic, often at night, in the rain, or on unlit roads.

On expressways with 120 km/h, a small lapse in attention is enough – and stepping onto the roadway becomes life-threatening.

The warning triangle is therefore paradoxical: it is supposed to create safety but in certain situations causes the exact opposite.

2. The solution: A warning light that is activated from inside the car

The V16 warning light was developed precisely for this reason.
It is a compact, portable device that is placed on the vehicle roof and immediately emits a strong, yellow flashing light.
The crucial point: The driver no longer has to leave the vehicle.

This is how it works:

  1. In case of a breakdown or accident, you activate the light by pressing a button.

  2. Depending on the model, it can even be placed through the window or sunroof.

  3. A magnet on the bottom securely fixes the lamp to the roof.

  4. Within seconds, your car is visible all around – up to 1 km away.

This eliminates the most dangerous element of the old method: getting out of the vehicle.

3. The technology in detail: 360° visibility and DGT connection

Every approved V16 warning light must meet certain requirements set by the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico).
This includes:

  • Light color: Yellow (Amber)

  • All-round visibility: 360° in all directions

  • Range: At least 1 km

  • Operating time: At least 30 minutes

  • Protection class: IP54 or higher (dust and splash water protected)

  • Temperature resistance: –10 °C to +50 °C

  • Homologation: Official approval by the DGT

Starting in 2026, the following also applies:
Every V16 must be "connected" – meaning it must have an integrated GPS and GSM module that automatically transmits the position to the DGT platform.
This platform is called DGT 3.0 and is the core of Spain's new digital traffic infrastructure.

4. DGT 3.0: The digital networking of roads

With the introduction of the V16 light, Spain lays the foundation for intelligent road traffic.
When a V16 is activated, it sends in real time:

  • the exact position of the vehicle,

  • the time of activation and

  • an anonymous warning message to DGT 3.0.

This information is automatically forwarded to navigation services (such as Google Maps or Waze), to electronic traffic signs, and to emergency services.

This means:
A driver approaching a stranded vehicle sees a warning message on their navigation or a highway display board like:

"Vehicle broken down – 2 km ahead in the right lane."

This creates a digital safety chain that prevents accidents before they happen.

5. The advantages at a glance

The V16 offers numerous advantages over the warning triangle:

✅ More safety

No dangerous exiting, no movement on the roadway, no risk.

✅ Increased visibility

Yellow, flashing light with 360° radiation is much more visible in darkness, rain, and fog than a reflective triangle.

✅ Quick deployment

Ready for use in less than 10 seconds.
The warning triangle takes – depending on the situation – 1 to 2 minutes.

✅ Compact design

Light, small, always handy in the glove compartment.

✅ Digital warning

The “connected” version automatically transmits the location to the traffic authority – even without a smartphone or internet connection.

6. Legal basis: From recommendation to obligation

The Royal Decree 159/2021 sets the gradual transition:

  • Until 2025:
    The warning triangle may still be used; the V16 is optional.

  • From January 1, 2026:
    Only connected V16 lights with DGT approval are allowed.

This applies to all vehicles registered in Spain – whether private, company, or rental cars.
There is no obligation for foreign vehicles, but a strong recommendation, especially when driving on expressways.

7. The economic dimension

With the legal introduction of the V16, a new market for safety products is emerging in Spain.
Several manufacturers – such as Help Flash IoT, PF Led One, Luz V16, and Netun Solutions – are already developing DGT-certified models.
At the same time, workshops, car dealerships, and e-commerce providers specializing in the sale of these lights benefit.

According to estimates, by 2026 over 30 million vehicles in Spain will be equipped with a V16.
This corresponds to a market volume of several hundred million euros.

8. Challenges and criticism

Like any change, the V16 obligation faces criticism.
Some drivers see the purchase obligation as an additional burden, others express privacy concerns due to the GPS function.

However, the DGT emphasizes that:

  • no personal data are stored,

  • the transmission is anonymized,

  • and all data are automatically deleted after a short period.

Nevertheless, awareness-raising is necessary – especially among older drivers and in rural areas.

9. European perspective

Spain is the first EU country to take the step of completely abolishing the warning triangle.
Other countries like France, Italy, and Portugal are closely watching the project.
If accident numbers in Spain significantly decrease, it is likely that the EU will adopt similar regulations in the medium term.

This could make the V16 the new European standard for breakdown and accident warnings – a best-seller "Made in Spain."

10. Conclusion: More safety through simple technology

The V16 warning light is not a trendy gadget but a tool that saves lives.
It combines visibility, safety, and digital connectivity in a device barely larger than a coffee cup.

For drivers, the change means above all one thing:
More safety, less risk – and the certainty that help arrives faster in an emergency.

The warning triangle has served well for decades, but the future of road traffic is digital.
The V16 light is the symbol of this new era.

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