Every vehicle in Germany must be equipped with a first-aid kit. The warning triangle, first-aid kit and high-visibility vest are prescribed in it. But according to the ACE Auto Club Europe, some additional aids can also be decisive in an emergency.
Check the first-aid kit for its expiration date
The currently valid DIN standard 13164 for first-aid kits was revised in 2022 and since then requires two medical face masks, with simple surgical masks being sufficient. At the same time, the number of triangular bandages was reduced and one bandage cloth was removed entirely.
If you still own an older first-aid kit, according to ACE you do not have to immediately buy a new one, but you should supplement the missing materials to meet the current requirements. Older boxes with earlier DIN standards may also continue to be used, as long as their contents have not expired.
It is therefore important to regularly check the first-aid kit, according to the experts of the Auto Club. Because some materials such as compresses
and gauze bandages are sterile only for a certain period and therefore have a best-before date. Expired materials must be replaced after the stated date. Otherwise the kit would no longer meet the minimum requirements of the standard.
Warning fine for violations
In case of a violation, a warning fine of up to ten euros may be imposed. In addition, the completeness of the first-aid kit is checked during the main inspection. Motorcycles are not required to carry a first-aid kit. However, ACE recommends carrying a small first-aid kit for emergencies.
Test high-visibility vests yourself
From the legislator, one high-visibility vest per car is also required. ACE recommends having a vest available for each seat. Because only then could all occupants exit clearly visible in an emergency. For motorcyclists, a vest is not mandated, but it is still sensible. When purchasing, also pay attention to the testing standard DIN EN 20471, as it specifies reflective strips and luminance.
A simple practical test also shows, according to the Auto Club, whether a
vest reflects well: If the vest is photographed with a flash, the stripes should appear bright in the image. This also works if it is still in a plastic packaging. When buying, also ensure an adequate size so that the vest fits over a thick winter jacket.
Warning triangle is mandatory
The warning triangle is a handy but life-saving tool to be set up in case of a breakdown or accident to prevent secondary accidents. It must be carried in every vehicle.
Only a warning triangle that is retroreflective, portable and stable, and thus complies with the European standard ECE R27, is permissible. ACE recommends practicing assembly and deployment in a quiet environment.
Emergency hammer, seat belt cutter and fire extinguisher
In addition to the prescribed equipment, experts from the Auto Club also recommend having additional emergency aids readily available in the vehicle. This includes an emergency hammer that can shatter a pane and thus save lives in an emergency. However, this only works on tempered glass (ESG). Front windshields and
some side windows consist of laminated glass (VSG) and cannot be shattered with it.
The glass type can be identified by the stamp on the pane. If it says “ESG” or “tempered,” use is possible; with “VSG” or “laminated” it is not. ACE recommends simple, tested emergency hammers that are intuitive to operate.
Having a seatbelt cutter with you can also be helpful if a belt cannot be opened after an accident. And a fire extinguisher can be useful to contain starting fires until the fire brigade arrives. However, it must be secured so that it does not become a projectile in the event of heavy braking.
Roof-mounted warning light
A modern addition to the warning triangle is the V16 warning light. It is placed on the vehicle roof, visible from a distance, and can further increase safety in the event of a breakdown. In Germany it is permitted as an additional safety measure, but does not replace the warning triangle. In Spain, however, the aforementioned warning light will be sufficient
