Ten months after Spain replaced warning triangles with the V-16 beacon, Pere Navarro, head of the Dirección General de Tráfico, has blamed political animosity for its slow adoption. In a recent interview, Navarro said: “This country is so messed up that there are people who say, because this is a government initiative, it’s an initiative of Pedro Sánchez... I’m not going to spend 40 euros. Because we really haven’t found any other arguments.”
Designed to keep drivers inside their cars during breakdowns or accidents, the V-16 beacon connects directly to the DGT 3.0 platform and sends a vehicle’s location to navigation systems and emergency services. The rollout has still met skepticism and confusion. From January 1, 2026, only connected and certified V-16 beacons that transmit coordinates to the DGT 3.0 platform will be mandatory. They will replace warning triangles and non-connected beacons.
Navarro’s latest comments shift attention from technical problems and price to politics. He says the DGT’s review of user feedback found no other clear reason for the resistance. “The truth is, we’re struggling with it,” he admitted. His theory, but, has not convinced everyone. Since its introduction, the V-16 beacon has drawn criticism over its effectiveness and privacy safeguards. Some models were pulled from shelves, deepening suspicions that the measure was driven more by revenue than safety.
Price remains a sore spot. Retailers now offer V-16 beacons for less than €15, with some deals below €10, compared with the original €40 figure. Still, that initial price tag lingers in the public mind. Reports from Spanish outlets confirm the drop, but perceptions of high cost persist.
The V-16 system promises a safety upgrade by transmitting a car’s position in real time. Drivers have reported weak visibility in daylight and unreliable performance at night. On winding or hilly roads, results have also been poor. These concerns, along with the price debate, have kept many drivers on the fence. Motor16 reports that Navarro has said there will be no postponement or extension of the connected V-16 beacon mandate. The fine for non-compliance is €80, not €800 as sometimes erroneously reported.
Navarro’s claim that politics is driving the backlash is a first for a senior official. The DGT’s own analysis, but, stops short of identifying it as the basic reason. Reports from Cadena COPE and other sources indicate that some drivers refuse to pay for the beacon because they see it as a government project. That remains an interpretation, not a proven fact.
The V-16 debate fits a familiar pattern in Spain. Previous government-led safety upgrades, including the expansion of the official car fleet under Sánchez, have drawn criticism for outpacing infrastructure. The beacon’s rollout now faces public skepticism alongside operational snags.
The DGT must convince drivers that the V-16 beacon delivers real value and overcome political distrust around new mandates on Spanish roads.
