The implementation of the V16 connected beacon has generated debate in Europe following the submission of several initiatives to the European Parliament's Committee on Petitions. The question raised was whether making the device mandatory in Spain could contradict EU law.
The European Commission has already made its position clear: there is no specific European legislation regulating this type of signaling device. Consequently, there has been no infringement of EU law. Spain has acted within the legal framework provided by the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.
The legal backing of the Vienna Convention
The legal basis cited by the European Commission is based on the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 1968, an international treaty that establishes common traffic standards to improve road safety.
Specifically, reference is made to:
- Article 3, which allows States to adapt their internal regulations as long as they do not contradict the spirit of the Convention.
- Article 23.5, which requires that a vehicle immobilized outside of a town be properly signaled by means of an "appropriate device" that warns other drivers.
The V16 beacon fits within this concept of a suitable device. Since there is no harmonized European regulation on these systems, it is up to each Member State to define the technical requirements and conditions of use.
Use of the V16 beacon outside of Spain
One of the most relevant aspects for users and distributors is the validity of the device in international travel.
The European Commission has confirmed that:
- Vehicles registered in Spain can travel through other countries using the V16 beacon without the obligation to carry warning triangles.
- Foreign vehicles entering Spain may continue to use their triangles in accordance with the regulations of their country, without immediate requirement to incorporate the beacon.
This point provides legal certainty and eliminates doubts about possible sanctions on cross-border journeys.
Spain, a European benchmark in road safety
During its assessment of the case, the European Commission highlighted Spain's progress in road safety. In the 90s, there were approximately 10.000 road fatalities annually. By 2024, that figure had fallen to around 800.
With 35 fatalities per million inhabitants compared to a European average of 44, Spain ranks among the countries with the best results in reducing road accidents. This context reinforces the coherence of measures aimed at decreasing the risks associated with breakdowns or accidents on the road.
The introduction of the connected V16 beacon is precisely part of that strategy: reducing the driver's exposure by avoiding the placement of triangles and improving anticipation by transmitting the location of the stopped vehicle.
Hero Driver LED: certified connected V16 beacon
In this consolidated regulatory scenario, it is essential that distributors and spare parts stores work exclusively with devices that fully comply with the technical and homologation requirements.
The beacon Hero Driver LEDmarketed by Ryme Automotive, is a device certificates, with connectivity NB-IoT included until 2040, prepared to comply with the Spanish regulations applicable to connected V16 beacons.
Its main technical specifications include:
- 360° horizontal visibility and ±8° vertical visibility.
- Luminous intensity between 40 and 80 effective candelas at degree 0 and a minimum of 25 candelas at ±8°.
- Flash frequency between 0,8 and 2 Hz.
- IP54 degree of protection.
- Dynamic pressure resistance of 180 Pa.
- Operating temperature between -10°C and 50°C.
- Tests performed in a laboratory accredited under UNE EN-ISO 17025 standard.
For the professional channel, having a certified connected V16 beacon with built-in connectivity means offering a solution aligned with the European legal framework and prepared for the final regulatory environment.
