From 2026, it will be mandatory in Spain to have a digital emergency light on board instead of the classic warning triangle.
Officially known as the ‘emergency strobe’, the new system is designed to dramatically improve road safety and reduce the risk to motorists in the event of a breakdown. Spain is leading the way in Europe, and it is likely that other countries will soon follow suit.
The traditional warning triangle, which is currently mandatory in many European countries, must be placed at a fixed distance behind the car to warn other road users. On motorways this is 100 metres, while on other roads a distance of 30 metres is sufficient. In Spain, there is an even stricter requirement: drivers must carry two warning triangles to place both in front of and behind the vehicle. Despite its proven effectiveness, this method entails risks, as drivers must enter the hard shoulder to place the triangle.
more efficient solution
The new emergency light offers a safe and practical solution to this problem. The device can be easily attached to the roof of the car with a magnetic base, without damaging the paintwork. Once activated, the light emits powerful flashes that are visible up to a kilometre away. This warns motorists of the stationary vehicle from a safe distance. In addition, the system allows motorists to remain safely behind the crash barrier, which significantly reduces the risk of accidents.
The emergency strobe is multifunctional and offers more than just visual signals. The device is equipped with a flashlight function to illuminate the immediate surroundings. In addition, a prepaid SIM card can be inserted, with which the light connects to a digital platform. This platform informs both emergency services and other vehicles connected to the same network about the exact location of the breakdown. The system therefore not only warns motorists, but also accelerates the arrival of emergency services.
mandatory in Spain
Although emergency lights have been allowed to be used voluntarily in Spain since 1 July 2021, they will become mandatory from 2026. Motorists who do not have emergency strobe lights after this date risk fines of between 80 and 200 euros. The Spanish traffic authority DGT emphasises that the introduction of this system is an important step in reducing road casualties, especially on dangerous roads and motorways.

The idea behind mandatory emergency strobe has already attracted attention from other European countries. Although there are no official plans yet, it is expected that the Spanish regulation will be followed in countries where road safety is high on the agenda.
In the Netherlands, it is currently not mandatory to have a warning triangle on board, although this is recommended by various traffic organisations. It is not yet clear whether the Netherlands will follow the Spanish example. Given the relatively low costs of the emergency strobe – prices vary between 11 and 15 euros – the implementation of such a requirement would not be a major financial barrier for motorists.
In many other European countries, such as France and Germany, the warning triangle is mandatory. Replacing this traditional aid with a digital emergency light could mean a major change in the way road safety is addressed.
traditional system
The introduction of the emergency strobe marks an important step in the modernisation of traffic aids. Where the warning triangle is primarily a static warning device, the emergency light offers a dynamic, technological solution that both increases visibility and improves communication between road users and emergency services.
With the prospect of other European countries following the Spanish example, this seems to be the beginning of a new standard in road safety. The emergency light is not only more efficient and safer, but also a reflection of how technology can replace traditional systems to protect the lives of motorists and road users.