OCU alert on the online sale of unapproved V16 emergency beacons on Amazon or Aliexpress: "The price of an approved one rarely falls below 40 euros."

The final goodbye to hazard warning triangles. Starting January 1, 2026, all drivers must signal a roadside emergency with an approved V16 beacon . These lights have been on the market for several years, but not all meet the mandatory requirements.

The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) itself claims that some outdated models are currently being sold through online platforms such as Aliexpress and Amazon, and their use could result in an 80-euro fine. But beyond the fine, they pose a risk to drivers as they lack basic functions such as geolocation or automatic connection to the DGT platform .

These features allow the device to immediately transmit the exact location of the immobilized vehicle to the traffic management center once activated. This system not only facilitates a faster response from emergency services, but also alerts other drivers via roadside information panels, significantly reducing the risk of secondary accidents.

The OCU (Spanish Automobile and Customs Office) has warned that many of the cheaper models found on e-commerce platforms do not have these features. Therefore, it strongly recommends that consumers consult the official list of approved devices , which the DGT maintains on its website, before purchasing a V16 beacon.

As the organization explains in a statement, the price can be a good indicator: while valid devices range between 40 and 50 euros (some even reach 80 euros), many of the unapproved beacons are sold for less than 30 euros, which should make users suspicious.

Although these devices are less than six months away from becoming mandatory, awareness among drivers is still low. According to a survey conducted by the OCU (Spanish Autonomous University of Madrid), one in four drivers admits to being unaware of the new regulations, and three out of four have yet to purchase a V16 beacon. The most worrying fact is that only 10% of those who already own one claim to have paid more than €40 for it, suggesting that a large proportion of drivers may have purchased invalid models.

In this context, the OCU insists on the need to carry out an urgent institutional information campaign to help citizens understand the new regulations and their implications. Furthermore, it urges online sales platforms to remove from their catalogs those products that do not meet the established technical requirements, in order to avoid confusion among buyers and protect their safety.

The transition to mandatory use of V16 hazard lights is, ultimately, a measure aimed at reducing accidents on Spanish roads. Replacing triangles with a luminous device that can be positioned without leaving the vehicle drastically reduces the risk of collisions, especially on fast roads or in low-visibility conditions. However, this safety advance will only be effective if the devices used meet the standards required by the DGT (Directorate General of Traffic).