Since the start of 2026, a new rule has come into effect on Spain’s roads: every vehicle must carry a V16 warning beacon for emergencies. This device was expected to improve road safety, but it has unexpectedly emerged as a potential serious hazard for a certain group of drivers and passengers.
The risk concerns people with pacemakers. In recent months, the discussion around the V16 beacon has gone well beyond issues of certification and battery quality. Now, the focus is on how the device’s magnetic base affects medical implants. It turns out that the magnet built into the beacon’s base, used to attach it to a car’s metal surface, can interfere with pacemakers—forcing them into a fixed mode at 60 beats per minute. This isn’t just a technical detail—it’s a real risk to life.
An unexpected danger
Many drivers, used to standard warnings about keeping electronic devices away from medical implants, never imagined that a simple warning light could be a problem. But that’s exactly what’s happening: the V16 beacon’s magnetic field is strong enough to disrupt pacemaker function if it comes too close to the chest of someone with an implant.
Instructions for some models of beacons approved for use in Spain now include special warnings. Manufacturers directly state: keep the magnet away from the area where a pacemaker or defibrillator is implanted. But how many drivers actually read these instructions carefully—especially in a stressful situation on the side of the road, when emergency signaling is urgently needed?
The problems don’t end there
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the V16 beacon already raises questions among motorists. In addition to health risks, other drawbacks are being discussed: not all devices provide sufficient visibility in bad weather or at night, and the batteries in some models discharge faster than advertised. Drivers complain that after just half an hour of continuous use, the beacon can suddenly shut off, leaving the car without a warning signal.
Nevertheless, it is the risk to people with pacemakers that has truly shocked the public. In a country where the number of patients with such devices grows every year, this issue can’t be ignored. Drivers and passengers with implants now have to exercise particular caution—and sometimes even forgo using the beacon themselves.
Questions about mandatory use
The mandatory introduction of the V16 beacon in Spain was initially envisioned as a step toward improving road safety. However, it has now become clear that one-size-fits-all solutions don’t always work for everyone. Implementing new standards without considering people’s health conditions can lead to unforeseen consequences. Drivers with pacemakers are now facing a situation where complying with the law could pose a life-threatening risk.
So far, authorities have not offered any alternative options for this group of citizens. For now, the only hope is that drivers and their families remain vigilant. Still, in stressful or emergency situations, it’s hard to expect perfect adherence to instructions. Spanish roads now face a new risk factor that few had considered until recently.
