During 2021, at least 59 pedestrians died on highways and expressways in Spain. Of them, 19 lost their lives run over when they got out of their vehicles after suffering an incident on the road
During 2021, at least 59 pedestrians died on highways and expressways in Spain. Of them, 19 lost their lives run over when they got out of their vehicles after suffering an incident on the road, according to the
General direction of traffic (DGT). These are cases in which, after presenting a breakdown or accident on the road, the driver or occupants got out of the vehicle and, at that moment, were intercepted by another. In many of these situations, the emergency occurs when people leave the passenger compartment of the vehicle to be able to place the emergency triangles. But nevertheless,
it is an action that is no longer mandatory.
In accordance with the Royal Decree on Roadside Assistance, which came into force in July last year, in the event of an incident, the driver can place a V-16 light to make himself visible to other road users, instead of descend, walk along the road and place the emergency triangles.
Therefore, currently the driver can choose between placing the triangle or using a V16 light to signal the incident, as explained by
HelpFlash. And this type of lighting device allows the driver to be visible without having to leave the passenger compartment and take unnecessary risks. just have to
open the window and place the light beacon on the roof or on the door of the vehicle and it will automatically turn on. In addition, the legal text modifies the way in which both the driver and the occupants of the vehicle that has been immobilized must act, expressly prohibiting walking on the road or on the shoulder, thus limiting the use of the triangle.
According to the decree, “the occupants must leave the vehicle, provided that there is a safe place outside the circulation platform and, in any case, they must leave the vehicle on the opposite side of the flow of traffic without transiting or staying in the lanes and shoulders that make up said platform. In addition, it explains that “if the traffic conditions do not allow the occupants to leave the vehicle safely, they will remain in the passenger compartment with the seat belt fastened.” Yes indeed,
always wearing the reflective vest when leaving the passenger compartment of the vehicle.