On the road, knowing the rules of the road in a normal context is just as important as safety when we find ourselves in an emergency situation. It is convenient to know how to act in a retention or a traffic jam, when we witness an accident or when we are the ones who have to stop the vehicle due to a breakdown.
In this case, it is important to try to stop the car as close as possible to the right side of the road, stop the engine, activate the emergency or warning lights and turn on the position lights if we are between sunset and sunrise. In addition, it is necessary to place the warning triangle or the V16 emergency lights, which will be mandatory from the year 2026. Of course, the reflective vest completes the essential equation in these situations.
Many drivers are unaware of how many reflective vests we should carry in the vehicle. Now that the holidays are approaching, trips as a couple, with family or friends abound, increasing the usual number of occupants in the car. In addition, we also travel longer distances, thus increasing the probability or risk of finding ourselves in an emergency situation, so this is a matter of the utmost importance.
The reflective vest fulfills the function of making the person wearing it visible on the road, which is essential to avoid being run over if you have to get off to place the triangles, check or change the wheels, check something in the engine, place the chains or wait outside the vehicle upon arrival of the emergency services.
In response to this, in Spain it is mandatory to wear a reflective vest inside the vehicle. This must be properly approved and be inside the passenger compartment, never in the trunk, since the fine for getting out of the car on a non-urban road without the vest on amounts to 200 euros, although it does not imply loss of points on the driving license.
However, in this last rule lies an important nuance. Although it is only mandatory to wear a vest in the car, the occupants of the vehicle are not allowed to get out of the vehicle without wearing it. So, for your safety and to save you the corresponding penalty, the best thing to do is to carry as many reflective vests in the vehicle as passengers travel in it.
In this way, in case you suffer a breakdown or accident, everyone must get out of the vehicle with the reflective vest on. Something especially relevant considering that waiting inside the car is not always a good idea. For example, in the event that smoke comes out of the engine or it is too hot inside the car.
