Beam me up Scotty....

So it's all worth it then.

Many thanks for the link. So everyone gets to see all cars on the map that have activated their beacon?

and now a grace period...

https://spanishnewstoday.com/spain_g...0255211-a.html

Easiest way to oversee this would be to make it mandatory that to pass the ITV you need to have the new-spec beacon in the car.

Or perhaps that is already the case?

Nope, because they dont even check for a spare tyre either here.

A spare tyre is now just an optional extra and is not required for the ITV. Triangles were a legal requirement, but I have never had them checked at an ITV test.

I'm not even sure I have one to be honest. But I thought the ITV was very thorough when I had one done for the first time, way more things to tick than anywhere else in the world where I've had to put my vehicle through something of this sort.

Not in Catalonia. It's not written into law so the Servei Català de Trànsit have started fining since the first of January.

And next in the series of unfortunate events that is the V16, it's been suggested that thieves could look at maps connected to the DGT's open data feed and show up at breakdowns with a tow truck to steal the car. But if they weren't doing this before, they probably will start doing it now that someone's floated this idea.

Yes, I see what you are saying, but how would they know what type of car/value it is and if it is worth it?

Surely if gangs want to nick cars, they will do it anyway, why wait for a breakdown (which could need an expensive repair) ?

Well the warning does come from the Guardia Civil who have never been fans of the V16.

Theoretically you can't pass the German equivalent of the ITV unless you have an up to date first aid kit.
First time I did one I was asked for it before the certificate would be issued. Now I just leave it on the passenger seat.
No idea what the rule for that may be in Spain.

Yes, thanks for flagging it up - I do see the potential for a grua to turn up and we happily let them take the car and it is worth checking out their credentials.

Last time I broke down, the Guardia appeared (I was on N332, a busy road) and took complete control, including calling my insurance company (at my request) and when the grua appeared, they knew him and in true Spanish style spent 10 mins chatting before he loaded up my car and me and off to the car dealers.

I suspect you might be right.
BUT the only time I have broken down, a quick call to Linea Directa and they told me both the reg number and the name of the driver of the truck that would turn up. If you ask when you phone, they will also ensure that the driver can speak some English and he will phone you anyway to let you know he is on the way.

It does however make it easier for these gangs to get 'clients' that the old way of waiting a motorway services and then crusiing around trying to find breakdowns.

Does advertising the location of my beacon on the general internet not challenge some data protection act?
It should be a contract between the owner of the beacon and the DGT who will only use the information to change the traffic boards on the roads.
It is not and it should not be up to them to display this information for all and sundry to use, nor to dispatch a tow truck.
The Police maybe, that I will agree to.
Its my resonsibility to contact my insurance and get the truck after all we pay for that included in the premiums dont we????

The map only shows a delay or obstruction it doesn't identify any vehicle or person

and the latest warning is - pls read if you have a dodgy ticker

https://spanishnewstoday.com/new_spa...0256356-a.html