V16

The DGT is “favoring massive fraud” with the V-16 beacons. We don’t say it, FACUA denounces it

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Of favoring “massive fraud” and “very serious passivity.” This is how Rubén Sánchez, spokesperson for the consumer association FACUA, has defined the attitude taken by the DGT on the occasion of the arrival of the V-16 beacons, which will be mandatory from January 1, 2026 to replace the emergency triangles. The association defends that many drivers have bought beacons that are now useless. But, in addition, the press conference and the company’s statement also leave another door open: who and why are criticizing or defending the measure? “A massive fraud”. The words are not found in the statement issued by FACUA but he does pick them up Europa Press from the mouth of Rubén Sánchez, spokesperson for the association, who has accused the DGT of favoring a “massive fraud” with its “very serious passivity” in the face of V-16 beacons that are sold as “approved by the DGT” but in reality are not legal. At the press conference, Sánchez has been much harsher with Traffic than the association has published on its website, ensuring that “it is silent while a multitude of companies, manufacturers and sales platforms are making money at the expense” of consumers” and that the DGT is doing it “absolutely badly because it has allowed large-scale commercial fraud.” Because? Because some of the V-16 beacons that are sold as “approved by the DGT” are not valid, according to FACUA. The association assures that there are companies using this claim to sell their beacons but these do not meet the connectivity requirements and, therefore, an agent can fine the user if they use it in their car. How is it possible? There are two options in this case. The first is that, directly, the company that is selling these beacons is engaging in fraud. That is, you are knowingly selling a product using a claim that is false. Therefore, the best we can do if we find a particularly cheap beacon is review on the DGT website that we are facing a device that complies with all of the law. The other possibility is that the shopping centers have taken out of storage the beacons that began to be sold before their connection with DGT 3.0 was mandatory. At that time, it made perfect sense that the box stated that they were “approved by the DGT” but obviously they have been out of date. FACUA denounces the following: “The obligation to inform the consumer about “the essential characteristics of the good” and to provide him with “relevant, truthful and sufficient information” about it is also being violated, as established in articles 20.1.b and 60.1 of Royal Legislative Decree 1/2007, of November 16, which approves the consolidated text of the General Law for the Defense of Consumers and Users and other complementary laws” Tepidity. FACUA’s words contrast with those of other consumer associations. The most obvious case is that of OCU, who have been opposed on some occasions to the measures taken by the DGT, such as environmental labelingbut they have not been dissatisfied with the V-16 beacons. The consumer association has made publications specifying what requirements are necessary to have a V-16 beacon connected or dismantling hoaxes. Posts that come with discounts on subscriptions that have a V-16 beacon attached as an ol giftdirect sale of this product. Beacons, beacons everywhere. And the V-16 beacon has become the star product of Christmas. All the large surfaces are promoting this product with supposed discounts, large online shopping spaces such as AliExpress or Temu They take discounts on the product to their highest point. The companies telephone They deliver it with new contracts, Mail has it in its offices and driver associations such as RACE either RACC They also have theirs. It is the result of a process that has allowed certify the same product with very subtle differences and then sold under different names. The most flagrant and controversial case of recent days is that of Angel Gaitan. He influencer has repeatedly criticized the imposition of this new device but has not lost the opportunity to sell a beacon under your seal which, in reality, is the same as that approved by the inventors of the new device and those who received the first approval from the DGT to sell their beacons presuming complete legality. Photo | Facua In Xataka | Yes, next year I am going to carry the V-16 beacon because they force me to. It doesn’t even occur to me to throw away the triangles

The director of the DGT proposes a grace period with the V16 beacons

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On January 1, 2026, it becomes mandatory to carry the V16 beacon connected in the car. Pere Navarro, general director of Traffic, has shed some light regarding the DGT’s decision on the device. And a few days ago confirmed that the agents will act flexibly during the first months, prioritizing information about the sanction. The statements come just after the DGT itself has recognized communication failures of this measure. The date does not move, but the fines will wait. Navarro reiterated that the regulations comes into effect as plannedand that is something that had been announced for five years. But he also clarified that the agents “will be flexible, for a time, informing” the drivers before starting to sanction. The objective, according to the director of the DGT, is to “consolidate this system” without generating a barrage of fines from day one. Mea culpa from Traffic. Montserrat Estaca, head of the Telematics Area of ​​the DGT, publicly acknowledged in statements to 20Minutos that “we have not done the job well” in terms of disseminating the measure. He admitted that many citizens are unaware of the mandatory nature of the connected V16 beacon and that communication has been insufficient. Until now, the DGT has only reported through the media, without sending direct communications to drivers as it did with environmental labeling. Why this change now?. The replacement of the triangles with the V16 beacon seeks to prevent drivers from having to get out of the vehicle and walk along the road to signal a breakdown. Navarrese provides data: Between 20 and 25 people die every year after being run over after abandoning their car, although it recognizes that not all cases are directly related to the placement of triangles. The new device is placed on the roof of the vehicle without leaving the passenger compartment and emits a light signal visible up to a kilometer. Not all beacons are valid. Here is one of the big problems: many drivers bought V16 beacons a long time ago, but not all are approved. Only connected V16 beacons are valid, those that incorporate a GPS chip and SIM card to connect to the platform. DGT 3.0 and transmit the position of the vehicle in real time. Connectivity must be guaranteed for a minimum of 12 years without additional fees. Offline beacons, mostly sold before 2022, do not comply with the regulations. How to know if your beacon is legitimate. The key is in the certificate number. Before buying, you must verify on the DGT website that the product has valid approval. The official list includes all devices certified by the IDIADA or LCOE laboratories. Simply enter the certificate number in the search engine to confirm that the beacon meets the technical requirements. Without this step, it is easy to fall for misleading offers, especially on platforms like AliExpress or Temuwhere we can find both approved products and others that are not. Price is not everything. Although the OCU places the usual price around 40-50 eurosthere are specific offers that reduce the cost up to 10 euros for new users on certain platforms. Stake defend that the expense is acceptable, commenting that divided by 12 years of guaranteed connectivity, “it amounts to just three or four euros per year.” In addition, he also highlights that if you change vehicles, “you can take the beacon from one vehicle to another as you could do with triangles.” The beacon does not solve everything. Navarro too warns that “there are those who think that by installing the V16 everything is over. No. This is simply to notify that a kilometer and a half away there is a vehicle stopped on the road due to an incident. It is not for anything else. You still have to call your insurance company to have the tow truck come and remove the car or fix the damage. One thing does not replace the other, let’s make no mistake” Its limitations in broad daylight. The DGT itself recognize that the beacon works worse with natural light. Estaca admitted that “the worst they work is in daylight,” when their visibility is reduced to about 50 meters, the same distance as a traditional triangle. In adverse conditions (fog, rain, night), the flashing light gains effectiveness. Traffic’s commitment also involves trusting in digital connectivity, allowing other drivers to receive the warning through their browsers before arriving at the area of ​​the incident. Spain, world laboratory. The country will be the first in the world to mandatory implement a system of connected beacons. The European Commission follow the experience closely in Spain with a view to there being changes in the rest of the countries. Navarrese presume of the system as “a Spanish invention” and asks for patience to evaluate its real effectiveness once it comes into operation. What vehicles are required. The norm It affects passenger cars, buses, vans, goods transport vehicles and non-special sets registered in Spain. Motorcycles, special vehicles such as agricultural machinery, bicycles, scooters and cars with foreign license plates are exempt, which may continue to use triangles. Fine if we don’t have it. Although there will be initial flexibility, as claimed Navarro, the fine for not carrying the beacon will be 80 euros, the same as is currently applied for not having triangles. In addition, using triangles will also be punishable from January 1, since Traffic considers that they pose a risk of being run over. The DGT has not confirmed how long exactly the grace period will last before starting to sanction systematically. It would also not be advisable to tempt fate. Cover image | DGT In Xataka | More and more Spaniards receive a letter in their mailbox: they have a fine and an AI has given it to them

The DGT assumes that something has failed in the arrival of the V-16 beacons

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The DGT’s V-16 beacons will replace the emergency triangles in 2026. The DGT confirmed just a few days ago that there will be no extensions or delays of any kind. It is something that was already approved in 2021 and that we should all have in our cars. Or, at least, that was the idea. Because the DGT itself assumes that the communication has not been correct. The V-16 beacons. They will be mandatory starting January 1, 2026. As we have been telling you in Xatakathis device will be in charge of signaling our breakdowns or accidents on the road starting next year. In fact, it will be prohibited to use triangles as it is understood that they pose a risk of being run over when installing them. Despite the criticism, Pere Navarro, director of the DGT, confirmed that there will be no valid extensions. The only future from January 1, 2026 is that we all carry a connected V-16 beacon in our car (because not all of them are valid). Their defense is that it is something that has been approved for almost five years so it should not take us by surprise. However, there are voices within Traffic that sing the mea culpa. “Nor we have done the job well”. The words are from Montserrat Estaca, head of the Telematics Area of ​​the DGT, in an interview with 20Minutes. Estaca thus responded to a question that focused on how the imposition of the connected V-16 beacon has caught many drivers by surprise: “Well, look, we have been around since 2021-2022, but it is true that there are many, many citizens who are unaware that the V16 beacon is going to be mandatory from 01/01/2026. You ask people, your acquaintances, and it is true that there are many people who do not, therefore, “We should sing a little mea culpa that we have not done the job well or we have not sufficiently informed citizens of this new measure” By the media. Until now, the only way in which the DGT has contacted drivers has been through the media. And it is only with the publication of the news or the interviews that those responsible have been giving that those affected have been able to find out about the obligation to carry a connected V-16 beacon from the first day of 2026. And the DGT has not issued any direct communication to drivers. It is one of the criticisms that has taken the most force. Traffic has not sent a letter explaining the new obligation as it did, for example, when environmental labeling was activated. The head of the Telematics Area of ​​the DGT also recognizes 20Minutes who has no knowledge that this is going to occur. “Three or four euros”. It is another point where Estaca has placed emphasis. The V-16 connected light, which is sold mostly between 40 and 50 eurosthey are not expensive. For the DGT, it must be taken into account that it is a device that has guaranteed connectivity for at least 12 years. If the money from a first payment is amortized over more than a decade, the annual expense is very low, according to the DGT. “If it is divided by 12 years (the purchase expense), it comes out to 3-4 euros per year and if you look at the expense of maintaining a car (insurance, gasoline, ITV…) it is not that much. Since, the DGT guarantees the connectivity of the V16 for 12 years, in addition, if you change vehicles, you can take the beacon from one vehicle to another as you could do with the triangles” 80 euros if you don’t want. Estaca has also not confirmed whether there will be a grace period before Traffic officers begin to fine for the absence of this V-16 beacon connected to our cars. And anyone who lacks it faces a fine of 80 euros, the same one that is currently imposed if a driver does not have the triangles. Furthermore, it must be remembered that the use of triangles will be prohibited and that a driver who installs them may be fined for it. The DGT insists that the risk of being run over is very high and has already changed the traffic protocols. what should we do in case we have to report a fault. Sometimes, It is now mandatory to stay inside the car to wait for the requested help. “When they work at their worst”. Estaca also accepts that daylight is not something that suits the V-16 beacons that will be mandatory next year. “In natural light, at least it reaches the same as a triangle, that is, 50 meters. It’s like the turn signals, you see them from a certain distance, therefore, that is the minimum that the V16 has, the turn signal light and from there on up. (…) Yes, the V16, in more critical conditions, are more visible, when they work the worst they are in daylight” This, precisely, was one of the criticisms that experts in road safety have been carrying out on these connected V-16 lights. The visibility generated with such a light when weather conditions are good is nothing short of questionable. Also in changes in grade or sharp curves, but from Traffic they cling to the connectivity of the beacon and the idea that this product expands the visibility of a breakdown to the digital spectrum through the car’s navigator. Photo | Shen Liu and DGT In Xataka | The “made in China” business of the DGT’s V-16 beacons: homologating the same product 24 times and selling it under different brands

Temu and AliExpress are selling the cheapest V-16 beacons on the market. And it’s very easy to know if it’s a scam.

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There are 44 days left until the connected V-16 beacon becomes mandatory in our country. There are, in fact, 43 days left if you are reading this on November 18, 2025. And I don’t want to burden anyone but there is obviously less room for maneuver with each passing day. We already know about the “evil of many…” but I will tell you a secret: if you are about to buy the beacon, you are by no means the only one in that position. Obviously, this has caused sales of the device to skyrocket. And with it have come the offers and, of course, the doubts about whether we are buying a valid product or not. Neither the DGT nor the consumer associations have helped with the doubts. And, on the market, there are V-16 beacons but not all of them are valid. Despite everything, you can find specific offers and bargains by finding this product, even below 10 euros. Therefore, we are going to explain how we can check whether or not we are facing a scam. Is it a scam? To understand why so much confusion must be taken into account that the approval of having to mount a V-16 beacon on the car It closed in 2021. Then the DGT decided that this device would replace the emergency lights and V-16 beacons began to arrive on the market. In 2022, however, it was confirmed that only V-16 beacons that could be used would be valid. contact DGT 3.0. They are called “V-16 connected beacons”, those that have a SIM card inside and that must guarantee connectivity for 12 years. That is, all V-16 beacons without connectivity (mainly sold before 2022) are not valid. This regulatory change is what has led consumer associations like the OCU to affirm that a connected V-16 beacon, the only valid one, “rarely goes below 40 euros.” But this is not entirely true. First, because it is very easy to find approved V-16 beacons for about 30 euros. Second, because there are real bargains that allow us to buy this device for less than even 10 euros. With that price it is logical to think that we could be facing a scam. Or, simply, that we are buying a V-16 beacon without realizing that they lack that connectivity that is essential for approval. The doubts multiply because Temu either AliExpress They offer beacons well below the 40 euros floor price recommended by the OCU. Pages specialized in discounts, such as Chollometer also offers aggressive discounts on some V-16 beacons. Do you want one for 9.99 euros? Yes. And it’s not a scam. Not, at least, in all cases. It’s all in the certificate number With a month and a half left before the new regulations come into force, there is not a day on pages like Aliexpress, Temu or Chollómetro in which a V-16 beacon is not offered at ridiculous prices. We give you some examples: V-16 beacon offered on Aliexpress V-16 beacon offered on Aliexpress The two previous beacons are sold on AliExpress at an almost absurd price. Of course, the fact that they can be purchased for just over two and four euros should make us suspicious. And indeed, none of the above options are valid. In fact, in the product rating of one of them, there is a comment specifying that they do not have connectivity. However, let’s look at another case. Beacon offer at 9.98 euros at Chollometro Redirection to Temu where it is shown that the beacon can be purchased for 9.99 euros The above case explains well how we can find a connected and completely valid V-16 beacon at a very low price. The connected V-16 beacon shown above is an offer that we have found on Chollometro, a website from which it is redirected to Temu where it is noted that the price of the beacon is 59.99 euros but that it is on sale for 29.98 euros. As if that were not enough, it is possible to buy it (red box) for 9.99 euros. The price should make us suspicious. But we go to the product description where it is mentioned that it has IP54 water resistance, it is promised that it is connected to DGT 3.0, which meets all the approvals… and its certificate is shown: IDIADA PC25060196. The latter is especially important because it is the data that certifies whether or not the connected V-16 beacon that we are purchasing is fake or meets the required requirements or not. To check it, let’s go to the DGT page. In this linkTraffic lists each and every one of the approved devices. We can filter the list by the date of approval, by the name of the manufacturer, the name of the product… and very importantly, the certificate number of all the products that we can even download is shown. In addition, it has a search engine, as we see in the following image. DGT list with all approved connected V-16 beacons It is enough to enter the certificate number, it is not even necessary to specify IDIADA or LCOE (the two laboratories that approve this product in Spain), to confirm that the V-16 beacon that we want to buy has all the technical requirements, including its manufacturer, the name of the exact model and when and where the approval was certified. In the case of the previous connected V-16 beacon, we are talking about a product certified, indeed, by IDIADA. It was homologated on June 30, 2025, the exact model name is V16 Beacon Light IoT CH-020L, sold under the Raykong brand and homologation requested by Limburg Technology Limited. Below we leave you the image in which this information is shown and the certificate that the DGT attaches with this data. Search for the beacon purchased in Temu Certificate of the connected V-16 beacon sold in Temu As we have seen, before purchasing the V-16 beacon it is easy to check whether we … Read more

The offer on this V16 beacon arrives at El Corte Inglés that will help you comply with the DGT regulations from January 1

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From January 1 it will be mandatory to carry a V16 beacon to comply with the DGT regulations. These beacons are not particularly cheap, so some stores have gotten to work to launch the occasional offer. And if you have not yet purchased a V16 beacon, El Corte Inglés has the Onexus-Geo by 39.99 euros instead of 49.99 euros. Onexus-Geo (V16 approved beacon) The price could vary. We earn commission from these links A V16 beacon that lights up when the base rotates The Onexus-Geo is a V16 beacon that meets the DGT requirements, which are not few. This type of beacon replaces the triangles and this particular model, in accordance with the law, incorporates a GPS module at its top, offering prepaid connectivity until January 1, 2039, so it has a duration of 12 years. Includes a battery charge level indicator and To turn it on, just rotate its basean interesting point, and one that differs from the typical power button, to prevent us from accidentally activating it. It is capable of emitting a powerful light and connects directly to the DGT. It works with a battery that is included and has a magnetic fixation so that it can be easily placed on the top of the car. Furthermore, depending on the brand, it offers up to 2 hours of autonomyit is resistant to rain, snow and dust, it is visible from 1 kilometer and the battery can be changed without tools. You may also be interested in these other V16 beacons El Corte Inglés also has other V16 beacons at the same price, as is the case with the Help Flash IoT by 39.99 euroswhich is also a model manufactured in Spain by Netun Solutions. Amazon also has many V16 beacons, such as the Help Flash IoT+ by 34.95 euros wave Isse Safety by 34.54 euros. Even PcComponentes, which now has the Nk DP-EL2024-C1 on offer for 29.99 euros. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links help flash IoT+, V16 Emergency Light with Geolocation and more than 250 candela power, Required from 2026, Connected with DGT 3.0, V-16 Signal for Cars, data plan included The price could vary. We earn commission from these links ISSE SAFETY Beacon v16 Approved DGT SIM and Data Included until 2038 – Car Emergency Light Approved DGT 3.0 – v16 ​​With Mandatory Geolocation January 2026 v16 Approved DGT The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Image | El Corte Inglés and Compradicción (header), Onexus In Xataka | V-16 emergency light for the car. Purchasing guide, regulations and when they come into force, characteristics and approvals In Xataka | Clarifying all the mess that the DGT has on its hands: the V-16 light, the V-27 signal and the emergency triangles

The DGT is clear that the future is the V-16 beacon… or the V-16 beacon

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On January 1, 2026 comes one of the most profound changes that Traffic regulations have experienced in our country in recent years. In just over a month, the way of signaling a breakdown or accident will completely change on our roads with the V-16 beacons connected. A system that has raised controversy but about which Traffic already warns: there is no turning back. “It is clear”. Nor will there be any extension. This is what Pere Navarro, director of the DGT, has warned about in the presentation of the Dekra 2025 Road Safety Report at the Mapfre Foundation headquarters, as stated Hybrids and Electrics. Regarding the possibility of not taking them, Navarro has assured that “there are no excuses or extensions. It is clear to everyone, right?” At that same event, the director of the DGT also recalled that the decision has been approved since 2021 and that this change should not catch anyone by surprise. 2021… The truth is that Navarro is not telling the whole truth when he assures that the exclusive use of the V-16 beacon was approved in 2021. In practice, this is the case and, in fact, it is already This possibility was discussed in 2020 when it was rumored that it would be mandatory a little earlier, in 2024. But Navarro’s statement is a half-truth. Because at the time we did not know that, in the end, the only approved lights would be those that can be connected with DGT 3.0. That regulatory change came in 2023. Now everyone who bought a beacon at that time has to spend the money again because your device is not valid. The reasons. For this change, the DGT has been arguing for years that putting triangles on the road is too dangerous. On the contrary, they have defended the use of the beacon by emphasizing the possibility of installing it on the roof of the car without having to leave the vehicle, just by sticking your arm out the window. To reaffirm this, Tráfico defends that on average Around 20 people were dying a year “after getting out of the vehicle” on the road. However, their data does not specify whether this refers to opening the door and getting out of the car, for example, or if the accident occurred when installing the triangles. It must be remembered that installing the beacon does not exempt passengers from standing outside the car. From 2023this operation must be carried out if there is a place away from traffic where you can wait for the emergency services. If it does not exist, that is when the passenger has to wait inside the car with the seat belt fastened. They do not convince. At least to some associations and road safety experts. To questions from Xatakathe Unified Association of Civil Guards (AUGC) assured that dangerous situations had already occurred with the use of the V-16 beacon as the only warning element on the road. José Lagunar, road safety expert at Auto FM shared concerns, pointing out similar reasons in both cases. The main fears of critics with the measure are related to the low visibility of the device in daytime conditions but also to the duration of 30 minutes (minimum required by the DGT) that the device must be in operation, pointing out that if the arrival of emergencies or a tow truck takes longer than expected we will be sold out on the road, without the possibility of using any other device. And they can fine you. Both for ignoring the beacon and for not carrying it in the glove compartment of the car or, directly, putting in the emergency triangles. In any of these cases, an agent could fine us at least 80 euros (it is considered a minor infraction) for not wearing the appropriate equipment to mark an obstacle on the road or not marking it correctly. Despite everything, the AUGC recommended continue carrying the triangles in the car (something that is not a reason for a fine). The experts consulted by Xataka They remind us of the importance of being able to warn of a breakdown where the connected V-16 beacon is not effective, such as on a secondary road where changes in grade or sharp curves are more common. Photo | DGT In Xataka | The “made in China” business of the DGT’s V-16 beacons: homologating the same product 24 times and selling it under different brands

the made-in-China business of the DGT’s V-16 beacons

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82 days. That is the time that has passed since the DGT approved for the first time a connected V-16 beacon on December 22, 2022 until March 14, 2023. Less than three months later from that December 22, Distribuciones Escudero Fijo SL You could now put your own connected device on the market. The Valencia-based company was the first to put a V-16 beacon connected and approved by the DGT on the market. made in china. The company specializes in the import and distribution of consumer products in our country, so it must have seen clearly that it was time to manufacture its own devices in the Asian country to reduce costs. The certificate confirming the approval and who is behind the manufacturing of the product is easily accessible. Both that of this Valencian company and that of any other approved product can be found on the DGT website. And with that list it is very easy to verify that the vast majority of connected V-16 beacons are being manufactured in China. Spanish approval, Chinese business Photo printers, a Philips car radio, activity bracelets or a Tesla Smart TV. They are all products that You can find it on the Distribuciones Escudero Fijo website. next to the connected V-16 beacon. The company, as we said, is by no means the only one that produces its beacons in China to approve them in Spain and sell them in our country. In fact, the DGT collects 29 companies with certifications to distribute its approved products in Spain. Only seven are Spanish. and the weight of products made in Spain It is reduced much more if we look at the total volume of registered beacons. Of 239 approved products, only 29 are produced in Spain, just over 10%. This company sells, under different names, up to five connected V-16 beacons, four of which have slight modifications to sell them as different products on the market. But this is almost a rarity because some Chinese brands have made it an art to sell the same licensed product under different names. The latter is the case of Limbur Technology, a company that manufactures these connected V-16 beacons in China and puts them on the Spanish market, highlighting the same product with different names. At this moment it has 99 active approvals despite having only seven different models on the market. The process is always the same. The Ningbo Chakesi Electronic company, based in Zhejiang (China), produces the connected V-16 beacons that are then sold under brands with names as diverse as Soslight, Orflect either Don Happy. The approvals are carried out in the Idiada laboratories (there are only two laboratories with permission to carry out these approvals) and in some cases the same device is approved repeatedly (up to 25 identical devices on June 30, 2025) to be sold under different names. Manufacturers have little room to play with approvals and put different products on the market. In some cases, for example, the new approval only corresponds to the addition of a new suction cup to facilitate installation or that the product is now brighter. The pattern repeats with other distributors. Ledel Solutions has 30 active approvals. Of them, up to 24 different brands sell the same product. Four of them repeat with a variation of the connected V16 beacon and only one of them sells an approved product such as EmergLight X, which has the same name as the company that puts it on the market. The manufacturing, as with any other product approved by Ledel Solutions, comes from China. And the connected V-16 beacon has all the conditions to be a product that China can easily supply. We are talking about a very low-cost technological product. A casing, some resistance to dust and water, active battery for 30 minutes and a space for a SIM card. It is the perfect product for mass produce at very low cost. With the approvals registered by the DGT, right now there are 239 products on the market but only 70 are, really, different products. Most of the time we are talking about the same product repeated and approved repeatedly by the same distributor and then sold under different brands in different channels. Photo | DGT and Escudero Fixed Distributions In Xataka | “Dangerous situations have already occurred”: three road safety experts respond to the imposition of the DGT’s V-16 beacon

Yes, next year I am going to carry the V-16 beacon because they force me to. It doesn’t even occur to me to throw away the triangles

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January 1, 2026 we will say goodbye to the triangles. Or maybe I would have to say that “we should say goodbye to triangles.” Because that is what the DGT wants. Traffic has decided that in just over two months, the V-16 beacon will be the one that signals breakdowns or accidents that occur on the road. And by the way, it prohibits the use of triangles. And I will say that, when I need them, I will continue using them. It’s not a tantrum. It is not a question of simple rebellion because I have to spend 30, 40 or 50 euros on a new accessory for my car. It is as simple a question as deciding what is best for my safety, that of my passengers and that of my car. A good (but improvable) idea I am not one of those who rant about the V-16 light for the simple fact that the DGT forces us to spend money on a new accessory for our car. I think it has its good parts but I also think it has some things that could be very improved. And, above all, I don’t understand why both devices cannot be combined. According to the DGT, we are experiencing a kind of epidemic of abuses when it comes to put emergency triangles in our country. Well, there are reasons to be skeptical. Between the years 2018 and 2022 (that is, a period that includes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic), an annual average of between 18 and 26 people died in accidents “after getting off the vehicle” on high-capacity roads, as reflected in the document itself which explains why the regulations and technical requirements of this connected V-16 beacon are changed. The DGT highlights the year 2019, the year in which 58 pedestrians lost their lives on high-capacity roads, of which 18 people were run over “after getting off the vehicle” by a particular group. In those five years, there were 108 pedestrian deaths on our roads that can be classified in that particular group. According to data collected by Statista8,615 people died on our roads between 2018 and 2022. That is, 1.25% of those killed on Spanish roads died from a collision under these circumstances. But the most problematic thing about the matter is that these very particular circumstances do not reflect the abuses that occurred while a person placed a triangle. Are you looking for that number? The DGT does not offer it. It talks about accidents on high-capacity roads but does not pay attention to the number of accidents when putting the triangles. That is, the organization is putting a patch on a problem for which we do not have clear or verifiable data. Yet, I break a spear for of the connected V-16 beacon. It seems like a good idea to have a system in the car that warns of an obstacle on the road and that can be installed on the roof of our car without having to get out of the vehicle. And all this despite the fact that it is already mandatory to start the car flashing. It also doesn’t seem like a bad idea to me that the beacon connects with the DGT in its platform 3.0 and so from Traffic they can give notice through the road panels that there is an obstacle on the road. Of course, notifying the emergency services is the responsibility of the driver and passengers. It would be appreciated if, since there is connectivity with DGT 3.0, Traffic would study fluid communication with these emergency services. Not to mention that in all new cars sold there is already the function eCall to sound the first alarm. I will continue wearing the triangles That said, I will continue to carry emergency triangles in my car. And I threaten to use them! (Insert image of Abraham Simpson yelling at the clouds here) No jokes. I have already seen the V-16 beacon in operation connected to the DGT in operation and I am sorry to say that its visibility level during the day and in good light tends to zero. I fully agree with what A few days ago José Lagunar expressedroad safety expert Auto FMin the article in which we asked three voices to give us their opinion. In broad daylight, the differences between setting the DGT V-16 beacon and activating the car’s flashing are: none. In fact, it should give us a clue about this that Netun Solutions, the creators of the invention and the first beacon approved by the DGT, are already selling us “more powerful” lights than the minimum required by Traffic. Will I put the beacon on the roof of my car? Well yes, because it is of no use to me to buy it and carry it in the glove compartment. Furthermore, the connection with DGT 3.0 to alert by the lights is welcome. But I will also put the triangles. With great care and with all the caution in the world but I consider that it improves visibility in case of breakdown. And we’re talking about a highway in broad daylight. But, What happens on a secondary road with a sharp curve? And with a pronounced change in gradient? Not putting emergency triangles in those situations, especially during the day where the light beam from the V-16 beacon is diluted, seems at least dangerous to me. In those cases, it is essential for me to place the emergency triangles. I am firmly in favor of the fact that both systems can coexist. The connected V-16 light doesn’t seem like a bad invention to me. At night, for example, the visibility of the triangles improves and even in a secondary vehicle in the above conditions it is likely to alert the rest of the vehicles sooner than the triangles. But if you use a battery, you are only forced to run it for 30 minutes. What happens if I am left stranded with … Read more

This is how we will have to act in case of breakdown with the new V-16 beacon mandatory in 2026

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January 2026. The Three Wise Men of the East have brought a breakdown to your car. You step aside, leave the vehicle, put on your vest and get to work. First, put the emergency triangles. The second thing, notify the insurance and/or emergency services. The third thing, wait for the Civil Guard agent to confirm that we have done everything wrong. And since January 1, 2026, emergency triangles become prohibited. Instead it will be mandatory to have a light V-16a beacon that will serve to alert other drivers from the roof of our car and notify the DGT that we have had a problem. If we do not act correctly, we expose ourselves to more than one fine. How to act with the new V-16 beacons The first thing to be clear about is that the new V-16 beacons do not only replace the emergency triangles. From now on, using the latter will be prohibited and placing them on the road may be punished with a fine of 80 euroswhich is related to not correctly signaling that there is an obstacle on the road. Therefore, before leaving home we will be obliged with the new year to have one of these new devices. What should we know about them? Here we leave you with the most basic but You can check all the requirements in this link: They must appear as approved in the DGT list (that guarantees that it meets the technical requirements) They must have batteries and an active battery Thinking about the future, they cannot be more than 12 years old (minimum time that the data connection must be guaranteed) unless an extension of this period is indicated on the device of the article itself. Once we are sure that we have the correct V-16 beacon, we must keep it in the glove compartment of the car. This is important because if we keep it in the trunk we will have to get out of the vehicle and that is, exactly, one of the reasons that the DGT alleges to activate these new warning lights. Therefore, if we have a breakdown, we must pull over and turn on the emergency lights. Then, we activate the beacon and putting your hand out the window of the car we place it on the roof. Once this is done, we have two options. If there is space to leave the vehicle and go to a safe place off the road surface, we should go there. Always with reflective vests on. If said space does not exist, from 2023 It is mandatory to wait for assistance from inside the vehicle with seat belts fastened. When we activate light V-16, the beacon should activate connectivity and contact the DGT 3.0 platform sending the coordinates of our position, this way it will be instantly verified that there is an incident on the road. This serves to activate the nearby light panels alerting that there is an incident on the road. In addition, connected vehicles traveling on that same road will receive a message in their browsers using the signal V-27 (a red triangle with an exclamation mark inside and three curved lines on the right side as a reminder of “connectivity”). This does not mean that emergency services are activated automatically. Passengers are responsible for notifying the insurance if the car must be towed and the emergency services, such as the Civil Guard, to alert them of what happened and facilitate the removal of the vehicle. Now we just have to wait. Of course, it must be taken into account that approved beacons guarantee emergency light flashing for a minimum of 30 minutes. From there, we will be left without an element that alerts us to our presence, beyond the vehicle’s emergency lights. An obvious solution is to buy a beacon with batteries and replace them when they stop working, but we must remember to carry this element in our car. Photo | Help Flash In Xataka | The V-16 beacon business: who is making money with the elimination of the DGT triangles

If you have to buy your V16 beacon, Leroy Merlin has them for less than 40 euros

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From the DGT, they have been reporting for some time that, starting January 1, 2026, we will have to have a V16 beacon connected. If you don’t have yours yet, at Leroy Merlin we have found some models that can come in handy and that, now, you can get a better price than when the rule comes into force. V16 emergency beacon Daewoo by 37.90 euros: with magnetic base and autonomy of six hours. V16 beacon RAYKONG by 39.99 euros: with Orange data plan until 2038. RACC Emergency Light V16 by 54.90 euros: with up to 10 hours of autonomy. V16 beacon LEDONE by 49.95 euros: with integrated eSIM and magnetic base. Pack of two V16 beacons RAYKONG by 77.99 euros: with three LED indicators. Daewoo V16 emergency beacon This one from Daewoo is one of the cheapest V16 emergency beacons that we have found at Leroy Merlin. Before it cost more than 40 euros, but now you can get it for 37.90 euros. Works with three batteries AA (which are included), which offer a maximum autonomy of six houryes. Comes with SIM card included and magnetic base. In addition, it has IP54 certification. Daewoo V16 emergency beacon The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Another of the cheapest V16 beacons that we find at Leroy Merlin is this one from the RAYKONG company. Its price is 39.99 euros and you should know that it is not sold over the phone or in a physical store, but exclusively through its website. This model has a design similar to that of all devices of this type. It has DGT 3.0 geolocation and emits visible light over a kilometer in 360º. Comes with suction cup and includes a paid data plan of Orange with more than 12 years of validity, until 2038 specifically. RAYKONG Beacon V16 Geolocation DGT 3.0 The price could vary. We earn commission from these links RACC Emergency Light V16 It could not be missing from our compilation about V16 emergency beaconsa RACC model. You can get this at Leroy Merlin for 54.90 eurosobtaining a discount of 25 euros compared to its usual RRP (79.90 euros). Like any beacon model that you must have in the car from January 1, 2026, it has a geolocation and V16 certification. This model comes with a magnetic mount and offers a autonomy of up to 10 hours. It can also be highlighted that it is resistant to water and impacts. RACC Car Emergency Light V16 The price could vary. We earn commission from these links V16 LEDONE Beacon Another of the V16 beacons that you can take into account to have in your car from next January 1, 2026, is this one from the firm Ledone. Its price at Leroy Merlin is 49.95 euroswith free shipping. This V16 beacon integrates a eSIM anonymous and geolocation DGT 3.0, which will send your position (automatically and without costs) until the year 2038. It is visible more than 1 km away and installs easily and safely thanks to its magnetic/adhesive base. LEDONE Connected – DGT Approved V16 Beacon with Geolocator The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Pack of two V16 RAYKONG beacons If you have two cars at home and want to save by buying a V16 beacon for each one, at Leroy Merlin you have a discount on this pack of two from the RAYKONG brand and that you can get for 77.99 euros compared to the usual price of almost 120 euros. Like most models, this one emits visible light over 1 km in 360º. Presents IP54 certificationso it resists water and also wind. Comes with three LED indicators and runs on three AA batteries. In addition, it includes a paid data plan from Telefónica Tech valid until 2038. Pack of two V16 RAYKONG beacons The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | RACC, RAYKONG, LEDONE and Daewoo In Xataka | Android Auto or wireless Apple Carplay: what you need to connect your mobile phone to your car without cables In Xataka | Safety, organization and entertainment gadgets and accessories for cars on long trips

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