SlopeBrazil

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Brazil. 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.


4. Slope

A slope is a section of road that rises or descends noticeably. A steep slope can affect vehicle speed, braking distance, traction, visibility and the ability of heavy or low-powered vehicles to maintain a steady speed.

Warning signs may indicate a steep ascent or dangerous descent and may show the gradient as a percentage. Drivers should adjust their speed early, select a suitable gear and remain prepared for slow vehicles, bends and changing road conditions.

Steep-gradient warning sign on road SP-345. (São Paulo, Brazil)
Wikimedia.org • Governo do Estado de São Paulo • CC BY
What does a steep-slope warning mean in Brazil?

Brazilian steep-road warnings describe the hazard. The Traffic Code also treats driving downhill with the vehicle disengaged or in neutral as an offence; keep an appropriate gear engaged.

🔗 planalto.gov.br • Brazilian Traffic Code — applicable traffic, speed, priority, manoeuvre, access and stopping provisions; exact sections recorded in the audit register

🔗 gov.br • National warning manual — relevant hazard and advance-warning criteria

Warning for a steep ascent. Warning for a steep ascent.

English • Traffic sign A-20b • Steep ascent. Select a suitable gear and maintain control.

Português • A-20b • Aclive acentuado. Adverte sobre uma subida acentuada adiante. Utilize uma marcha adequada e mantenha o controle do veículo.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gov.br • CONTRAN/SENATRAN: MBST, Volume II, página PDF 77

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Departamento Nacional de Infraestrutura de Transportes • Public domain • Original revision 2014-01-17. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Brazilian Manual Brasileiro de Sinalização de Trânsito (current SENATRAN catalogue): Gov.br • A-20b, PDF page 77. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.

How should I approach a steep descent in Brazil?

Reduce speed before the descent and select a suitable gear to help control the vehicle. Keep enough following distance and avoid building up speed that requires continuous heavy braking. A warning gives no fixed safe descent speed: the gradient, surface, visibility, load and vehicle can require a speed well below the legal maximum.

🔗 planalto.gov.br • Brazilian Traffic Code — applicable traffic, speed, priority, manoeuvre, access and stopping provisions; exact sections recorded in the audit register

🔗 gov.br • National warning manual — relevant hazard and advance-warning criteria

What should I check when meeting or overtaking on a slope in Brazil?

Do not overtake on a two-way single-carriageway road at a crest with insufficient visibility unless the applicable signs permit the manoeuvre under the Code. A slope warning alone does not permit unsafe overtaking.

🔗 planalto.gov.br • Brazilian Traffic Code — applicable traffic, speed, priority, manoeuvre, access and stopping provisions; exact sections recorded in the audit register

🔗 gov.br • National warning manual — relevant hazard and advance-warning criteria

1 Brazil 2 Speed limit 3 Speed bump 4 Slope 5 Stop sign 6 Roundabout 7 Pedestrian crossing 8 Railway crossing 9 Turn prohibition 10 School area 11 Traffic lights 12 Traffic lights warning 13 Pedestrian lights 14 Driving licence 15 Location marker 16 No stopping 17 Disabled parking 18 Reversing 19 Oversize load 20 Tourist attraction 21 Horn 22 Charging station 23 Cyclist 24 Bus 25 Police 26 Ambulance 27 Pothole 28 Path 29 Particulates 30 Air pollution 31 Rush hour 32 Road code 33 Two-way traffic 34 Street gutter 35 Cargo bike 36 Forestry vehicle 37 Construction vehicle 38 Semi-trailer truck 39 Trolleybus 40 Speed pedelec 41 Delivery vehicle 42 Idling 43 Tow truck 44 Four-wheel drive 45 Bicycle 46 Motorcycle equipment 47 Tram 48 Rail track 49 Caravan 50 Trailer 51 Tow hitch 52 Fire truck 53 Siren 54 Convoy 55 Emergency vehicle lighting 56 Agricultural machinery 57 Electric bicycle 58 Electric vehicle 59 Pedelec 60 Quadricycle 61 Microcar 62 All-terrain vehicle 63 Van 64 Recreational vehicle 65 Scooter 66 Trikke 67 Personal mobility device 68 Skateboard 69 Segway 70 Kick scooter 71 Roller skates 72 Mailman 73 Hitchhiker 74 Toddler 75 Child 76 Disability 77 Motorail 78 km/h 79 mph 80 Speedometer 81 Ride height 82 Dirt road 83 Driving 84 Start-stop system 85 Manual transmission 86 Automatic transmission 87 Throttle 88 Tachometer 89 Steering wheel 90 Power steering 91 Visual scanning 92 Mirror 93 Fuel 94 Fuel gauge 95 Petrol 96 Diesel 97 Diesel exhaust fluid 98 Car insurance 99 First aid kit 100 Fire extinguisher ...