Road safety as a social value: the V16 beacon and a culture of collective care
By Gala Conde · Communications Consultant at GAD3
It is quite possible that this Christmas one of the most common gifts was not particularly entertaining, but it was certainly useful… and mandatory. A small, discreet object with a very specific purpose that, from January 2026, will be compulsory on Spanish roads: the V16 beacon.
As of this year, Spanish regulations require the traditional warning triangles to be replaced by the connected V16 beacon as the sole approved roadside breakdown signalling device. This measure responds to a clear objective: reducing risk at one of the most dangerous moments in driving, when a vehicle stops unexpectedly or is involved in a road accident.
Beyond its mandatory nature, this regulation reflects a shift in approach to road safety. It is not just about complying with the law, but about incorporating prevention as a social value. The V16 beacon allows drivers to signal their vehicle without leaving the cabin, minimising exposure to traffic and shifting road safety from an individual responsibility to a collective one.
The DGT website provides detailed information on its features, usage and types. You can consult it here
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Mobility remains a source of risk
Mobility is part of our daily routine, but that does not mean it has ceased to be a risk factor. The Second Workplace Road Safety Report, produced by GAD3 for RACE, quantifies a reality that is often overlooked: travel continues to account for a significant share of occupational accidents, particularly in itinere journeys. According to the report, 29% of salaried workers say they have experienced an in itinere road accident.
These data highlight how road risk has become normalised as an inevitable toll of everyday life. The new regulation on the V16 beacon targets precisely this critical moment: the point of incident, when a breakdown or accident can turn into a serious danger both for the driver and for other road users.
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When risk does not end after leaving work
Prevention has a particular feature: when it is effective, it goes unnoticed. The GAD3 report for RACE shows that, although there is a general perception that road safety has improved in recent years, prevention still has considerable room for development, especially in terms of habits and protocols.
The V16 beacon is a clear example of this silent prevention. It does not prevent the incident itself, but it does significantly reduce the subsequent risk. Its effectiveness is not measured in media visibility, but in accidents that never occur, a preventive logic that is essential for consolidating a genuine culture of road safety.
You can find more data in the Second Workplace Road Safety Report.
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Silent prevention: caring for yourself in order to care for others
Correctly signalling a breakdown is no longer just a matter of self-protection. With the V16 beacon, road safety becomes an act of shared responsibility, in which every individual action has a direct impact on the safety of everyone else.
This logic connects with one of the central messages of the GAD3 and RACE study: road safety is a collective phenomenon, shaped by behaviours, infrastructure, regulation and prevention culture. Introducing devices that reduce risk not only protects the affected driver, but also contributes to a safer road environment for all.
The findings of the Second Workplace Road Safety Report reflect progress in awareness, but also the persistence of structural risks linked to mobility. Making the V16 beacon mandatory is a significant step, but it is not sufficient on its own.
The real challenge lies in transforming awareness into culture, embedding prevention into everyday habits, corporate policies and social perceptions of risk. Road safety cannot depend solely on occasional campaigns or regulatory changes, but on the sustained adoption of safe behaviours.
The V16 beacon is a small device, but its meaning is profound. It represents a way of understanding road safety based on anticipation, technology and collective care. In a context where mobility remains a significant risk factor, choosing measures that protect without demanding heroics is also a sign of social maturity.
