As part of the 2030 road safety strategy, the Spanish General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has decided to replace warning triangles with V-16 rotating lights. Unlike the triangle which can only be seen from a maximum of a hundred meters, this rotating beacon can emit a light signal up to a kilometer with high intensity at 360° for 30 minutes, even in fog or heavy rain.
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2 Immediate localization
The V-16 rotating beacon is equipped with a geolocation system to be activated as soon as it is placed on the roof of the vehicle during an incident. The location data will be automatically transmitted to the DGT, which will therefore warn other motorists.
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3 Reinforced security
The warning triangle, still in force for the moment, must be placed 50 meters behind the vehicle in the event of an incident in Spain, i.e. 100 meters (round trip) to be covered on foot at the side of a lane traffic, and in particular a highway. A dangerous journey, and sometimes impossible for people with reduced mobility. The DGT also emphasizes that “the triangles are frequently abandoned on the road by people who, perceiving a risk, decide not to remove them”.
With the mandatory introduction of rotating lights, it will no longer be necessary to leave your vehicle to report an incident to other motorists.
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4 A more expensive purchase and a significant fine
If a warning triangle generally costs less than five euros, you will have to pay between 30 and 50 euros to equip yourself with a V-16 rotating beacon (available in specialized auto stores and on commercial sites). From January 1, 2026, you risk a fine ranging from 80 to 200 euros if you do not have one in your vehicle.
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5 Soon in France?
For the moment, the warning triangle remains in force in France. But it would not be surprising if the rotating beacon becomes compulsory in the years to come, following the rule of the Spanish General Traffic Directorate, often a pioneer in road safety. Thus, the yellow vest became compulsory on board vehicles in Spain in 2004, four years before France.
France