Since the mandatory use of the V16 beacon came into effect last January 1, 2026The Spanish Directorate General of Traffic continues to strengthen the system with new measures aimed at improving road safety. The latest development, announced by its Director General, Pere Navarro, is the upcoming approval of an instruction requiring traffic patrols of the Civil Guard to respond whenever they receive a warning of an activated V16 beacon and are in the vicinity.
This measure represents a further step in consolidating the connectivity ecosystem of the DGT 3.0, whose objective is to reduce response times to incidents and increase the protection of drivers.
The Civil Guard will respond whenever a V16 beacon is activated.
According to Pere Navarro, the DGT has already prepared a draft of a new instruction that will formalize a procedure that, in practice, many agents were already carrying out.
When a driver activates a certified connected V16 beaconThe incident will be recorded on the DGT 3.0 platform by automatically transmitting the vehicle's location. If a Civil Guard patrol is near the incident, they will respond to provide assistance and assess the situation.
In the words of the Director General of Traffic:
"The traffic police were already doing it, but we want to formalize it. It's common sense."
The aim is to improve assistance to drivers and speed up the response to breakdowns, accidents or any road emergency situation.
A tool that improves road safety
The main advantage of the connected V16 beacon over the old emergency triangles is that does not force the driver to leave the vehicle to signal the incident.
In addition to emitting a powerful light signal visible from a great distance, the certified models automatically transmit the vehicle's location to the DGT 3.0 platform, allowing the information to reach other road users through variable message signs, navigation systems and other traffic information services.
Thanks to this connectivity, it is also easier to coordinate the actions of emergency services when necessary.
The DGT insists: the V16 beacon is mandatory
During his speech, Pere Navarro reminded everyone that the use of the connected V16 beacon is no longer a recommendation, but a legal obligation.
From the January 1, 2026All vehicles subject to this requirement must have a connected and approved V16 beacon, and driving without one when required is punishable.
The director of the DGT was emphatic on this point:
"The law is there to be obeyed. You have to follow it, period."
The "Spanish V16 Beacon", a benchmark in Europe
Another aspect highlighted by the Directorate General of Traffic is the interest that this system is generating in other European countries.
As Pere Navarro explained, this device is already known in community institutions as "the Spanish beacon", considering that it constitutes an advanced model of integration between emergency signaling, connectivity and intelligent traffic management.
Spain has thus become one of the first countries to implement an automatic incident notification system directly connected to traffic management.
The number of reported incidents is increasing thanks to connectivity
One of the most significant pieces of data provided by the DGT reflects the impact that the implementation of these beacons is having.
Before its implementation, during 2025, the DGT recorded approximately 8.600 monthly incidents on the highway.
Currently, that figure has already reached 69.000 incidents per month, an increase that demonstrates the system's ability to detect and communicate situations that previously could not be reported quickly.
This allows for much more accurate information on the condition of the road network and improves real-time traffic management.
The importance of choosing a certified V16 beacon
Not all beacons available on the market meet the requirements of Spanish regulations.
It is essential to purchase a model that is among the devices certified by the DGT and that guarantees:
- Official certification in accordance with current regulations.
- Automatic transmission of location to the DGT 3.0 platform.
- Integrated connectivity throughout the lifetime guaranteed by the manufacturer.
- High visibility to signal the vehicle without leaving the passenger compartment.
Choosing a certified device guarantees compliance with regulations and the correct functioning of the communication system with the DGT (Spanish Directorate General of Traffic).
HERO DRIVER LED: Ready for current and future regulations
If you do not yet have a connected V16 beacon, HERO DRIVER LED It is a solution designed to comply with current regulations and offer maximum peace of mind on the road. certified in accordance with the requirements of the DGT and incorporates Vodafone NB-IoT connectivity included until 2041, without additional fees or subscriptions, allowing automatic transmission of the vehicle's location to the DGT 3.0 platform when activated in an emergency situation.
With the upcoming instruction that will strengthen the Civil Guard's response to the activation of a V16 beacon, having a certified device with guaranteed connectivity becomes even more important to improve driver safety and reduce assistance times.
Source: EFE
