2023 began with the arrival on the market of the first V-16 emergency lights approved and connected with the DGT, which has meant that two types of beacons are currently available: analogue and connected. This fact has generated many doubts among drivers. Therefore, from Help Flash they answer the main questions that have arisen in recent weeks.
What does it mean for a beacon to be connected? It means that now drivers will not only be physically signaled through a light, but also virtually, making it the safest signaling option.
From when will they be mandatory? The connected V-16 lights are already the legal substitute for the warning triangles and will be mandatory as of January 1, 2026. For their part, the analog emergency lights that have been on the market for several years and the triangles, They can only be used until December 31, 2025.
How does the connectivity work? The device integrates an eSIM with NB-IoT (Narrow-Band Internet Of Things) technology that provides connectivity. In the event of an accident or breakdown, when the beacon is activated, a notification is sent immediately, automatically and anonymously to the DGT traffic control center indicating its exact location and this information is shared in real time through the DGT Platform. 3.0 and from the National Access Point to other road users. In this way, they will be able to have prior information on any incident along their journey, a notification that will not only appear on the variable information panels on the different roads, but will also appear in the mobility applications on their telephones and in the connected cars themselves.
How long will connectivity be offered? In accordance with Directive MOV 2022/03, the cost of device communications will be included in the retail price and these will be guaranteed for at least 12 years. Some models, such as the Help Flash IoT, offer people who purchase it before additional connectivity is required at no cost during these previous years, thus obtaining connected devices from now until 2038.
Do I have to give my personal data when acquiring them? No. When acquiring it, it is not necessary to provide any type of personal information because the connectivity is already included in the price of the device. Without registrations, quotas or subscriptions in any telephone company.
Is the data they transmit anonymous? The information received by the DGT is anonymized and therefore does not include in any case name, license plate or any other personal data that could allow the user to be identified. The beacon only informs the DGT 3.0 about the geolocation of the vehicle that has had an incident on the road.
How often does the device send information about my vehicle? This device will remain inactive until the user turns it on due to an incident. Only then will the vehicle’s geolocation data be activated and sent to the DGT traffic control center. Information about the location of the crashed vehicle will be sent every 100 seconds and will stop being sent once the beacon is deactivated.
What kind of batteries do the V-16 lights use and why? These beacons work with commercial alkaline batteries that provide them with a minimum of 2.5 hours of autonomy in emergency mode. In addition, these types of batteries, which do not suffer from sulphation, retain more than 80% of their capacity for up to 4 years.
Does the beacon activate a roadside assistance service? No, the beacon signals an incident and alerts other drivers of the vehicle’s position to prevent new accidents. However, Help Flash IoT is compatible with the leading roadside assistance application, Incidence APP. By linking it to the device, this application helps you contact your insurance company or emergencies in an agile and intuitive way, sending you the help service you need depending on whether you have suffered an accident or a breakdown.
www.hoy.es
Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.