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

Traffic rules
Brazil