First deaths linked to the V16 beacon: a fatal flaw?

First deaths blamed on the V16 beacon raise the alarm

The V16 beacon, presented as the modern replacement for warning triangles, has now seen its first tragic controversy. According to unofficial sources, several road deaths may be linked to the device's poor visibility. The beacon has been mandatory in Spain since 2021. If confirmed, this would shatter the official narrative that promised greater safety.

Spain's traffic authority, the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico), backed the connected, geolocated beacon and removed the requirement for warning triangles. Yet many drivers complain that the device is barely visible from a distance, especially in adverse conditions. In the public debate, testimony keeps piling up from drivers who stopped on the hard shoulder with the beacon on, barely noticeable until you were right on top of it. The paradox is that many, antiestéticaring a fine, use only the beacon and abandon the precaution of the triangles, which are not in fact banned.

Behind the controversy lurks the business side: critics point out that the rollout went ahead without European approval or independent studies. The commissions from sales of certified beacons — and the associated mobile operator — seem to carry more weight than road safety criteria. The victims' families are already considering legal action against the DGT.

Can an insurer refuse to cover a claim on the grounds that the beacon was inadequate? Or will negligence homicide complaints reach those responsible? The question remains open while warning triangles stay in the boots of drivers who don't trust the gadget.