Among the new Traffic rules for 2021 is the reform of two pieces of legislation that particularly affect roadside assistance operators, and which make up the Royal Decree.
Less than a month ago, on 16 March, Royal Decree 159/2021 governing roadside assistance services was finally approved. A great step, without doubt, for a sector that has long been calling on the Government for greater safety in carrying out its daily work, which involves unbearable levels of danger. The 11,000 roadside assistance vehicles travelling on this country's roads deserve to work with maximum safety.
The figures are very serious. According to the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT), a total of 18 operators have lost their lives on the road since 2017. What is more, between 2018 and 2020, 42 people died on interurban roads after getting out of their vehicle because of an incident.
So which rules have been amended? The Ministry of the Interior (in collaboration with other ministries, such as Transport, Industry and Defence) has had to prepare the reform of two regulations with this Royal Decree, namely: the General Vehicle Regulations (1998) and the General Traffic Regulations (2003).
And what are the key points? The following:
- Roadside assistance operations, whether repair or removal, must be carried out as safely as possible for all road users, whether or not they are involved in the incident or accident.
- Each operator must communicate electronically with the Traffic authority to report their geolocation. This data will be published on the National Access Point for Traffic and Mobility.
- Assistance vehicles will have right of way and may park on the public highway to carry out their work. They must enhance their visibility with retroreflective markings on one third of their surface (sides, front and rear).
- Every roadside assistance operator must be properly trained, using the personal protective equipment provided for in the applicable sector regulations. They will be required to register, together with their associated vehicles, in a State Register of Assistance on Public Roads (REAV). We would remind you that one of the services we offer at REAC is Training.
- Warning triangles will be replaced by a light-emitting device, the V-16 warning lights, which have been talked about for some time (in fact, they are sold under various brands). However, this device will not be compulsory until 1 January 2026.
- A new sign has been created, the V-27 sign, a "virtual triangle" that will be activated in the vehicle's on-board system and will warn of the presence of a nearby hazard. Only connected vehicles have this feature, so it will not be compulsory.
