19
Jul 2021
5

Warning Triangles to be Replaced by V16 Emergency Beacons

Tráfico is moving forward with plans to replace the warning triangles used to alert other road users when

Warning Triangles to be Replaced by V16 Emergency Beacons

Trafico , , , , , Sabrina L. Williams

Tráfico is moving forward with plans to replace the warning triangles used to alert other road users when a vehicle breaks down with V16 emergency beacons. Triangles were introduced in July 1999 but this system is going to be modernized with a beacon that is placed on the roof of the vehicle and emits an orange warning light.

Why the Change?

Jorge Ordás, Tráfico’s General Deputy Director of Transportation and Technology explains that the warning triangles will be substituted for an alternative system primarily because of the number of fatalities on Spanish roads that have been recorded due to drivers exiting their vehicles to place or collect the triangles on the road. This raised a serious safety issue that needed to be addressed.

Motorway Overhead Gantry Sign

How Does the Beacon Work?

To alert other road users to our situation, the beacon is placed on the highest part of the vehicle to guarantee maximum visibility. The way the beacon is designed allows for the driver to place it on the roof of the vehicle without having to set foot outside, by simply putting your arm through the window and therefore lowering the risk level. The beacon has a double function in that every 100 seconds it sends a signal to DGT (Tráfico) Cloud 3.0 and this information is relayed to motorway overhead gantry signs (this function won’t be any good to use on Fuerteventura as we don’t have overhead signs but the rest of Spain will benefit from it) to confirm the location of the vehicle and advise other drivers as they approach the scene.

When are the Beacons Obligatory in Spain?

The switch from triangles to emergency beacons becomes obligatory from 1st January 2026, however, from 1st July 2021 drivers are permitted to use beacons with or without geopositioning location service. From 2026, the triangles will be obselete and as you can imagine fines will apply if drivers do not comply with the changes. From a safety point of view, it wouldn’t hurt to buy the beacon now for approximately 25 euros.

If you must get out of the vehicle, make sure it is done safely and only if there is a secure space off the road and always in the opposite direction to the flow of traffic. If a safe space is not available, drivers are urged to remain in their vehicles with their seat belts fastened until road assistance arrives to save the day.

PS: It sure feels good to write about something other than the pandemic again!

01
Aug 2015
0

Spanish Supreme Court Makes it Illegal in Madrid for Agents to Fine Motorists Without Pulling them Over First

Trafico , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Sabrina L. Williams

It has been a tough few months what with tax season but now that it is behind us here at the office, I can return my attention to Canary Bloggers as it has been pretty much abandoned lately. So much has been happening, regulations that have gone unnoticed in recent years are being discovered so plenty of reading and research is going on at the moment.

Well, this article brings what will hopefully be the start of great news for motorists in Spain. As we all know, Trafico engineers laws to their convenience and not always to the benefit of road users. Some of their campaigns are viewed as an easy way to earn a fast buck than actually creating road safety awareness. Anyway, the point of this article is that AEA, Automovilistas Europeos Asociados  or European Motorists Associates has fought and won a long 5 year battle against traffic regulations established in 2010 in Madrid in which agents fine motorists without actually informing them on the spot of their alleged violation, rather, surprised road users receive the dreaded and familiar looking notification by post advising them of their “crime” way after time and the AEA has declared this type of action as completely illegal. According to the Supreme Court, agents must stop the offender at the time the offense has been committed as long as conditions and traffic safety allow it. If it is deemed impossible to detain the offender, the agent must fill in a detailed report explaining what impeded them from taking action.

24
Jun 2014
0

Big Brother Is Watching You (and Your Car…!)

Trafico , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Sabrina L. Williams

If you’re a driver, you may have at one time or another over the past few months felt as if you’re being watched. Well, you can rule out paranoia, as there has definitely been a significant increase in police controls, speed traps etc as part of new road safety measures.

If your car is more than 10 years old, you may have also received a similar letter to the one shown here, “encouraging” you to improve road safety by purchasing a newer car. According to statistics, more than 50% of vehicles on Spanish roads are more than 10 years old, doubling the risk of death in the event of an accident as opposed to newer cars. During the last year alone, more than 13 million letters were sent out to car owners who fell under this category and there are more in the pipeline.