The introduction of the V-16 connected emergency beacon, now mandatory on Spanish roads, has prompted health experts to raise concerns about its impact on individuals with pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). Leading Spanish cardiologists point to its strong neodymium magnet base, used for secure attachment to vehicle roofs, as a possible source of dangerous electromagnetic interference for over one million residents dependent on cardiac implants.
The new beacon replaces the traditional warning triangle, aiming to reduce roadside accidents by keeping motorists inside their vehicles following a breakdown. However, cardiologists warn that the solution comes with unforeseen drawbacks.
Dr Manel Castellà, Head of Cardiovascular Surgery at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, highlighted on the programme El món a RAC1: "When a powerful magnet comes close to a pacemaker, it can trigger the device's magnetic switch, shifting it to a fixed-rate mode of 60 beats per minute, regardless of the patient's current needs." This issue is particularly pressing as fitting the beacon often requires extending one’s arm out the car window, placing the magnet perilously close to the chest and, by extension, the implant.
Expert warnings and technical explanation
The strong neodymium magnets integrated into the V-16 beacons guarantee stability in adverse weather, yet raise the risk of activating the in-built magnetic sensor found in most pacemakers and ICDs. When triggered, the device adopts asynchronous pacing at a preset rate. Dr Ignacio Fernández Lozano, President of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, noted on Spanish TV that "the recommended safety distance between any strong magnet and an implanted device ranges from 15 to 30 centimetres." He cautioned that this distance is typically compromised when a driver installs the beacon from within their car. Medical sources further add: "If a magnet gets too close, ICD therapy can be inhibited," a critical concern in high-stress situations such as roadside emergencies.
Official response and current guidelines
The issue gained attention when Ana Blanco, Deputy Director at the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), acknowledged in a RAC1 interview that the agency was previously unaware of this incompatibility. While some beacon manufacturers have included warnings in instruction manuals regarding proximity to sensitive medical devices, Spanish traffic regulations currently offer no exemption for drivers with cardiovascular implants. Cardiologists have started issuing practical advice, recommending that drivers with implants delegate beacon placement to a passenger whenever possible. Solo drivers are advised to use the arm opposite the side of their implant—typically the right arm for left-sided devices—to maximise separation between the magnet and the chest.
Distinguishing magnetic interference from radiofrequency signals
It's crucial to differentiate between potential sources of interference. The primary risk relates to the magnetism from the beacon's mounting base. Meanwhile, the beacon's NB-IoT radiofrequency signals used for location tracking present no significant hazard. Modern pacemakers are built to withstand everyday electromagnetic fields such as those from smartphones, but the physical strength of the magnet can inadvertently activate a test mode designed for hospital diagnostics outside clinical supervision.
Technical details and safety features
The V-16 connected beacon is a road safety device with LED lighting and integrated geolocation, which transmits incident details to the DGT 3.0 platform and other connected vehicles. From 1 January 2025, these devices will become mandatory on Spanish roads, coexisting with triangles only until 2026. The policy aims to decrease fatalities among drivers exiting vehicles for roadside warnings—one of the most common causes of traffic deaths—though the newly flagged risk to implant users was not initially anticipated.
Practical advice for pacemaker and ICD users
Specialists stress the need for a proactive "safety distance" when handling the beacon. If an accompanying passenger is available, they should install the device to avoid unnecessary proximity to the chest. When alone, users should employ their arm opposite the implant to limit risk. The majority of cardiac devices are implanted on the left, so the right arm placement technique is most effective. The beacon should be kept well away from the upper torso at all stages of the process.
Should enhanced warnings be mandated?
Healthcare professionals advocate for bold, standardised warnings on all beacon packaging and devices, detailing the risks for those with heart implants. Whilst some manufacturers already provide such alerts in their user guides, this information is not always sufficiently visible. There is ongoing debate regarding legal exceptions for drivers with pacemakers and whether alternative safety devices should be permitted for their use. Patient organisations have raised the topic with the DGT, though the law remains unchanged as of now.
Prevalence of cardiac implants and projected impact
According to the Spanish Society of Cardiology, over one million people in Spain live with pacemakers, ICDs or cardiac resynchronisation devices. This number continues to climb as a result of an ageing population and improved treatment options. Roughly 40,000 new pacemakers are implanted each year, alongside thousands of ICDs, all of which possess magnets that may be affected by strong external sources.
Potential health risks clarified
Should a pacemaker be triggered into asynchronous mode by an external magnetic field, it will operate at a fixed 60 bpm, which may not suffice if the patient is under stress. As a result, the device ceases to adapt to the user’s real-time cardiac demands. For ICD users, the implications can be even more serious, as interference could temporarily prevent the device from delivering potentially life-saving shocks during arrhythmic events. While such outcomes are statistically rare, the threat is real, prompting further guidance and research from the cardiology sector.