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Crossing animalsAustria

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Austria. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Austria

29. Crossing animals

An animals-crossing warning indicates a place or road section where wild animals, livestock or ridden animals may enter or cross the road. Animals may appear suddenly, move unpredictably or be difficult to see in darkness, vegetation or poor weather.

Drivers should reduce speed, scan both sides of the road and remain prepared to stop. The warning sign does not itself give animals priority or impose a numerical speed limit, but drivers must avoid frightening, endangering or colliding with them.

Deer-crossing warning sign at Brandlucken. (Styria, Austria)
Wikimedia.org • Clemens_Stockner • CC BY-SA
Which animals might drivers encounter on roads in Austria?

Depending on the locality, drivers may meet deer and livestock on Alpine or rural roads. Roadside animal-warning signs and local hazard information indicate where extra care may be needed; do not assume the hazard ends immediately after a sign.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 20, 22, 50; 15–16 for overtaking

Warning for cattle on the road. Warning for cattle on the road.

English • Traffic sign StVO § 50 Z 13a • Beware of animals. The sign marks the beginning of an area where unattended grazing animals must be expected. It is installed particularly in Alpine areas and areas where unsupervised grazing is customary (section 81(3)).

Deutsch • StVO § 50 Z 13a • ACHTUNG TIERE. Dieses Zeichen zeigt den Beginn eines Gebietes an, in dem mit unbegleiteten Weidetieren zu rechnen ist. Es ist insbesondere in Alpgebieten und in Gebieten, in denen der unbeaufsichtigte Weidegang nach altem Herkommen üblich ist, anzubringen (§ 81 Abs. 3).

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ris.bka.gv.at • StVO § 50 Z 13a

SVG source: 3247 • Public domain • Original revision 2006-08-27. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for crossing deer. Warning for crossing deer.

English • Traffic sign StVO § 50 Z 13b • Beware of wild animals crossing. The sign indicates an area where wild animals may cross the road.

Deutsch • StVO § 50 Z 13b • ACHTUNG WILDWECHSEL. Dieses Zeichen zeigt ein Gebiet an, wo damit zu rechnen ist, dass Wild die Straße überquert.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ris.bka.gv.at • StVO § 50 Z 13b

SVG source: 3247 • Public domain • Original revision 2006-08-27. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Does an animal-crossing warning sign in Austria set a new speed limit?

A warning of animals is not, by itself, a numerical speed-limit sign. Continue to obey the applicable speed limit, but slow down whenever animals could enter the road or visibility is poor. A separate regulatory speed sign must also be obeyed.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 20, 22, 50; 15–16 for overtaking

What should you do if an animal enters the road in Austria?

Ease off the accelerator, assess the traffic behind and brake smoothly if necessary. Avoid abrupt swerving into opposing traffic or off the road. Give farm animals and ridden animals room, avoid frightening them with unnecessary horn use, and be alert for more animals following.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 20, 22, 50; 15–16 for overtaking

1 Austria 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Tunnel 11 Cycling street 12 Pedestrian zone 13 One-way traffic 14 Quay 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Give way to oncoming traffic 24 Railway crossing 25 Mandatory direction 26 Turn prohibition 27 School area 28 Overtaking 29 Crossing animals 30 Wrong-way driving 31 Roadworks 32 Height limit 33 Width limit 34 Weight limit 35 Priority at the next junction 36 Traffic lights 37 Pedestrian lights 38 Speed feedback 39 Driving licence 40 Location marker 41 Traffic mirror 42 Emergency telephone 43 International border 44 Cycling route 45 Parking 46 No parking 47 No stopping 48 Disabled parking 49 Reversing 50 Uncontrolled crossroad 51 Road surface 52 Provisional licence 53 Runaway truck ramp 54 City limit 55 Cyclist crossing 56 Horn 57 Licence plate 58 Charging station 59 Dangers 60 Cyclist 61 Bus 62 Police 63 Ambulance 64 Police signals 65 European emission standard 66 Pothole 67 Private property 68 Path 69 Particulates 70 Air pollution 71 Rush hour 72 Road code 73 Street gutter 74 Cargo bike 75 Forestry vehicle 76 Construction vehicle 77 Semi-trailer truck 78 Trolleybus 79 Speed pedelec 80 Delivery vehicle 81 Idling 82 Tow truck 83 Four-wheel drive 84 No vehicles 85 Bicycle 86 Motorcycle equipment 87 Tram 88 Rail track 89 Caravan 90 Trailer 91 Tow hitch 92 Fire truck 93 Siren 94 Convoy 95 Emergency vehicle lighting 96 Agricultural machinery 97 Electric bicycle 98 Electric vehicle 99 Pedelec 100 Quadricycle ...