Starting in January 2026, new road regulations require cars to always carry a V16 emergency light , although since summer 2021 these warning lights have been a legal substitute for the previously essential warning triangles.
But what about motorcyclists? Does the change in legislation affect two-wheeled vehicles? Do they need emergency lights for motorcycles? Without a doubt, an accident or breakdown on the road poses a particularly serious risk for motorcycle riders , and proper signaling is essential to avoid collisions and resulting incidents.
Official figures confirm the determining role of lighting in the number of collisions on intercity roads: 70% of accidents occur at dusk or at night, and 90% of them occur on roads with insufficient lighting. Let's see how the new regulations affect motorcyclists and what the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) says about the importance of emergency lights for motorcycles .
What is a motorcycle emergency light?
In order to improve road safety, motorcycle hazard warning lights have become especially important. Until now, due to the large size of warning triangles, these were not an option for vehicles without a passenger compartment. Therefore, in the event of an incident or breakdown, motorcyclists could only signal using their turn signals and became particularly vulnerable on the road. The arrival of V16 hazard warning lights, also suitable for motorcycles, has represented a considerable advance in terms of safety for two-wheeled vehicle riders, as they are a compact option, easy to carry on the motorcycle, and emit the necessary light to signal the incident and thus improve road safety.
Help Flash, the emergency lights for motorcycles
The Help Flash V16 emergency light is the perfect signaling device for motorcyclists. It's quick and easy to use: thanks to its magnetic base, it can be attached to the motorcycle's sheet metal, the rear, the tank, the mirror bar, the seat, or even the road's guardrail. Once the beacon is in place, it automatically emits an intense beam of light that can be seen from a long distance, ensuring that a stopped motorcycle is perfectly signaled.
Advantages of using Help Flash on your motorcycle
Aside from the added safety benefit that a V16 emergency light provides for motorcyclists, the Help Flash signaling device offers other advantages.
-
- Compact, lightweight, and easy to store . Its small and handy size makes it the perfect option for carrying on your motorcycle.
- Maximum visibility . When activated, the device emits an intense light through a parabolic reflector using LED technology. This allows the motorcycle to be visible at a 360° angle and up to 1 km away, even in low-light conditions.
- Resistant to all types of weather conditions . Can be used in rain, snow, wind, or fog.
- It also works as a flashlight . The device can be attached to the motorcycle's bodywork or placed on a flat surface, allowing you to perform any task hands-free.
- Autonomous and wireless . Since nearly 40% of roadside breakdowns are electrical, the use of emergency lights and wired devices is impossible. Help Flash operates on a commercially available non-rechargeable 9V alkaline battery, type 6LR61, which provides 2.5 hours of battery life in emergency mode and 5 hours as a flashlight. Furthermore, these types of batteries, which do not sulfate, allow the device to be stored for up to 4 years, retaining more than 80% of its capacity.
DGT regulations on emergency lights for motorcycles
According to the new DGT regulations, V16 hazard lights are not mandatory for motorcycles or mopeds, but they are highly recommended . Currently, a helmet is the only accessory required by law for motorcyclists. However, for these types of vehicles, it is advisable to take additional signaling measures, such as V16 hazard lights, which guarantee the safety of both drivers and other vehicles, thus reducing road accidents.
Which motorcycle emergency light to buy?
When choosing an emergency light for your motorcycle, it's essential that it's approved and authorized by the DGT (Directorate-General for Traffic).
- Help Flash IoT Connected by Vodafone . You can now purchase the new Help Flash connected V16 emergency light. This innovative solution not only offers all the advantages of Help Flash devices, but also has the ability to connect to the DGT 3.0 (Directorate-General for Traffic) (DGT). Through this connection, the emergency light sends the geolocation of the damaged motorcycle and alerts other vehicles of the incident via light panels, navigators, and dashboards. This advanced technology significantly improves road safety, allowing other drivers to anticipate danger. Learn more about Help Flash IoT here .
- Help Flash v2 . This is the next model to the original Help Flash device. To improve its usability, it includes a button that allows you to program the operating mode, perform a battery test, and activate the device with one hand.
