In less than a year, emergency triangles will no longer be valid in Spain. The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has approved a new hazard warning system: the connected V16 light . But how does it really differ from the classic triangle? We explain it here.
1. Personal safety
Triangle: To place it, the driver must exit the vehicle and walk on the roadway (at least 50 meters), even in dangerous conditions such as rain, fog, or heavy traffic.
Connected V16 light: Activated from the inside and positioned directly on the roof, the driver doesn't have to get off the roof. This reduces the risk of collisions and improves road safety.
2. Visibility
Triangle: Only visible if other vehicles are at a short distance and lighting conditions permit.
V16 Beacon: Emits flashing light visible up to 1 km away in 360°, even at night or in heavy rain.
3. Technology and connectivity
Triangle: This is a passive system without technology. It does not emit a signal or alert emergency services.
Connected V16 light: Transmits the vehicle's exact location to the DGT 3.0 via the NB-IoT network. Geolocation is anonymous and is activated by pressing the button.
4. Legality from 2026
Triangle: Will cease to be legal on December 31, 2025.
Connected V16 light: It will be the only pre-signalling device that will be mandatory from January 1, 2026 , according to Royal Decree 159/2021 .
5. Ease of use
Triangle: Requires getting out of the car, mounting the mount and placing it at a certain distance.
V16 Beacon: Ready to use in seconds: open, place on the roof and press the SOS button.
Comparative summary
| Feature | Emergency triangle | V16 light connected |
|---|---|---|
| Safety when using | De-registration: forces you to exit the vehicle | High: placed from the inside |
| Visibility | Limited | High (up to 1 km) |
| Connectivity | No | Yes (sending to DGT 3.0) |
| Legal in 2026 | No | Yeah |
| Activation time | Slow | Immediate |
Which one to choose?
If you want to comply with regulations, improve your safety and avoid fines, the choice is clear: the connected V16 beacon replaces the triangle in all key aspects .
Hero Driver LED: V16 connected light without fees
The Hero Driver LED is a DGT-certified V16 beacon, developed by Ryme Automotive and connected via the Vodafone network, with no fees until 2040.
Shop now at herodriver.es or learn about our fleet and professional solutions at rymeautomotive.com .
