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Drivers in Spain who have yet to get their hands on the new V-16 emergency beacon can breathe a small sigh of relief. Despite the device being mandatory since January 1, traffic officers will initially take a softer approach before reaching for the fine book.

 

Interior Minister Fernando Grande Marlaska confirmed on Thursday January 8 that there will be a grace period during which motorists will not be penalised for failing to display the new warning light.

 

“Our intention is not to raise revenue. Officers will be flexible and will prioritise providing information over issuing fines for a reasonable period of time,” Mr Marlaska said, although he stopped short of saying how long this period of leniency will last.

 

The minister stressed that the change is first and foremost about safety. According to official figures, around 25 people are killed each year while attempting to place emergency warning triangles on Spanish roads.

 

“Everyone who has ever gotten out of their car to place a triangle knows the danger involved,” Mr Marlaska stated, underlining what he described as the “essential” need for measures to reduce these deaths.

 

He also dismissed concerns that the new beacon could increase the risk of robberies or roadside assaults by broadcasting the location of broken down vehicles.

 

“With this device connected, the Traffic Department automatically knows there's a vehicle in that area and alerts all units, so I think the risk decreases even more than if that vehicle hadn't activated the beacon,” he explained.

 

Visibility complaints were also brushed aside. Mr Marlaska insisted that the V-16 offers strong visual coverage, saying it “has a range of one kilometre, guaranteeing perfect visibility.”

 

He added that “it also offers connectivity, which is another form of virtual visibility, allowing drivers to know well in advance when a vehicle is stopped and to see it on a map.”

 

As for how many drivers have already made the switch, the minister admitted there are no official figures.

 

“I hope everyone has it because it's been mandatory since January 1st,” he said, while noting that uptake is steadily increasing. “Around 3,000 drivers are already using it every day.”

 

Mr Marlaska also pointed out that Spain is leading the way with the new system. While it is the first country to implement the V-16 beacon nationwide, he said several European countries are closely watching the Spanish rollout before deciding whether to follow suit themselves.

 

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Image: DGT