SlopeColombia

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

Colombia

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 a road in Cúcuta. (Norte de Santander, Colombia)
Wikimedia.org • EEIM • CC BY-SA

What does a steep-slope warning mean in Colombia?

Colombian warnings identify steep-road hazards. The Traffic Code expressly requires reducing speed on steep descents and where visibility is limited.

🔗 cancilleria.gov.co • Colombian National Traffic Code — Articles 70, 73 and 74: uphill priority, overtaking prohibition and steep-descent reduction

Warning for a steep descent.

English • Traffic sign SP-27 · family • Steep descent. Reduce speed and control the descent to avoid overheating the brakes. The drawing gives no gradient percentage and is mirrored relative to the manual's example. The descent warning is identified without assigning a numerical gradient.

Español • SP-27 · familia • Pendiente fuerte de descenso. Advierte una pendiente fuerte de descenso. Reduce la velocidad y controla el descenso para evitar el recalentamiento de los frenos. El dibujo no indica el porcentaje de la pendiente y está orientado en espejo respecto al ejemplo del manual. Se identifica la advertencia de descenso, sin asignar una pendiente numérica.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • MinTransporte/ANSV: Manual de Señalización Vial 2024, página PDF 114
🔗 Transmilenio.gov.co • Manual 2024: forma, color o dibujo de referencia

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Gobierno de Colombia • Public domain • Source revision 2017-09-12. Wikimedia original unmodified.

How should I approach a steep descent in Colombia?

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.

🔗 cancilleria.gov.co • Colombian National Traffic Code — Articles 70, 73 and 74: uphill priority, overtaking prohibition and steep-descent reduction

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

Do not overtake where a crest prevents a clear view. Follow the actual signs and meeting rules and use a suitable safe place rather than entering a narrow section in conflict with an oncoming vehicle.

🔗 cancilleria.gov.co • Colombian National Traffic Code — Articles 70, 73 and 74: uphill priority, overtaking prohibition and steep-descent reduction

Pedestrian warning

Bus stop

1 Colombia 2 Speed limit 3 Pedestrian warning 4 Slope 5 Bus stop 6 Stop sign 7 School area 8 Crossing animals 9 Traffic lights 10 Reversing 11 Cyclist 12 Bus 13 Police 14 Ambulance 15 Pothole 16 Path 17 Particulates 18 Air pollution 19 Rush hour 20 Road code 21 Street gutter 22 Cargo bike 23 Forestry vehicle 24 Construction vehicle 25 Semi-trailer truck 26 Trolleybus 27 Speed pedelec 28 Delivery vehicle 29 Idling 30 Tow truck 31 Four-wheel drive 32 Bicycle 33 Motorcycle equipment 34 Rail track 35 Caravan 36 Trailer 37 Tow hitch 38 Fire truck 39 Siren 40 Convoy 41 Emergency vehicle lighting 42 Agricultural machinery 43 Electric bicycle 44 Electric vehicle 45 Pedelec 46 Quadricycle 47 Microcar 48 All-terrain vehicle 49 Van 50 Recreational vehicle 51 Scooter 52 Trikke 53 Personal mobility device 54 Skateboard 55 Segway 56 Kick scooter 57 Roller skates 58 Mailman 59 Hitchhiker 60 Toddler 61 Child 62 Disability 63 Motorail 64 km/h 65 mph 66 Speedometer 67 Ride height 68 Dirt road 69 Driving 70 Start-stop system 71 Manual transmission 72 Automatic transmission 73 Throttle 74 Tachometer 75 Steering wheel 76 Power steering 77 Visual scanning 78 Mirror 79 Fuel 80 Fuel gauge 81 Petrol 82 Diesel 83 Diesel exhaust fluid 84 Car insurance 85 First aid kit 86 Fire extinguisher 87 High-visibility clothing 88 First aid 89 Concrete step barrier 90 Barriers 91 Vehicle lights 92 Street lights 93 Dipped beam 94 High beam 95 Fog lights 96 Front fog lights 97 Rear fog lights 98 Side lights 99 Turn signals 100 Hazard lights ...