At the proposal of the Ministry of Transport, Spanish lawmakers have decided that from January 1, 2026, all vehicles on Spanish roads must be equipped with a V-16 LED light instead of the red warning triangle.

Research has shown that a large number of drivers and passengers have been killed when installing a warning triangle behind a vehicle. Between 2018 and 2022, an average of 22 people died each year while trying to install the triangle or when it was knocked down by wind or rain. To solve the problem, it was decided that from January 1, 2026, all vehicles on Spanish roads must use a V-16 LED light that emits a signal visible in a 360-degree circle and at a distance of up to one kilometer, which significantly improves safety, especially on main roads and motorways.

The effectiveness of this technology was confirmed by a series of tests carried out by Spanish government agencies before it received legal approval for use. Drivers who do not comply with this regulation will be fined 200 euros, while the price of the device is 40 euros.

The V-16 LED lights also have a geolocation system that allows the competent services to quickly locate a broken down vehicle or accident scene and send help in time. The light automatically sends a signal every 100 seconds, and stops broadcasting when the device is turned off.

Whether this solution will be used in other European Union countries remains to be seen.

Source: Reuters