Crossing animalsSwitzerland
32. 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.
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
Which animals might drivers encounter on roads in Switzerland?
Watch for wild animals and livestock on the carriageway. The wildlife warning identifies a risk of game entering the road; the livestock warning can indicate unattended animals or herds using the road. Read any supplementary indication of the length of the hazardous section.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR article 12; OCR articles 4,12,29; LCR articles 26,31-32,40
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026
Does an animal-crossing warning sign in Switzerland 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.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR article 12; OCR articles 4,12,29; LCR articles 26,31-32,40
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026
Warning for cattle on the road.
English • Traffic sign 1.25 • Animals.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 1.25 • Tiere.
Français • Signal 1.25 • Animaux.
Italiano • Segnale 1.25 • Animali.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 1.25, PDF page 101. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.
Warning for crossing deer.
English • Traffic sign 1.24 • Wild animals crossing.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 1.24 • Wildwechsel.
Français • Signal 1.24 • Passage de gibier.
Italiano • Segnale 1.24 • Passaggio di selvaggina.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-01. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 1.24, PDF page 101. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.
What should you do if an animal enters the road in Switzerland?
Brake as necessary while keeping control and checking the surrounding traffic. Avoid swerving into opposing traffic or off the road. Give livestock and ridden animals room, avoid unnecessary horn use, and watch for more animals following.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: OSR article 12; OCR articles 4,12,29; LCR articles 26,31-32,40
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Traffic Rules Ordinance, state 1 October 2026
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • Switzerland: Road Traffic Act, state 1 July 2026

Traffic rules
Switzerland