The V-16 emergency beacon, which replaced warning triangles in January, is here to stay. This was the firm message delivered by the Director-General of Traffic (DGT), Pere Navarro, during his appearance before the Road Safety Committee in the Congress of Deputies.
Navarro insisted that the device, which became compulsory on 1st January 2026 for cars, lorries, buses, vans and vehicle combinations, represents an important element of road safety. He argued that it offers clear benefits over previous methods, stating that the warning triangle had no light and was not connected, whereas the V-16 features a light and connectivity. He highlighted that it prevents drivers from having to exit their vehicles to place a triangle and shared a letter received from a disabled driver who expressed gratitude because they previously could not get out of their car to place a triangle on the road.
However, the rollout has faced criticism. It was pointed out that the beacon does not connect in many municipalities and on local roads, with Navarro dismissing certain aspects of the connectivity claims as nonsense. The DGT head also hit back at political opposition, branding the PP as “snitches” and accusing them of a lack of loyalty for reporting the DGT to Brussels over the matter. Nevertheless, Navarro noted that the European Parliament settled the issue by supporting Spain’s road safety policy.
The congressional session also addressed broader traffic management concerns, including a shortage of driving examiners. The driving school sector has long complained about this issue, arguing that the DGT’s emergency response plan has been insufficient. Representatives noted that whilst the examiner workforce was increased by 130 professionals to reach a total of 1,033, and another 100 are expected to join in September following training, it remains inadequate. An additional 120 positions are set to be offered in the 2026 public employment launch. Navarro defended the situation by noting that 750,000 new drivers hit the roads every year, requiring 1.4 million theory tests and 1.2 million practical exams. He remarked that there are never enough examiners, much like how there is always a need for more Guardia Civil officers, doctors or teachers.
