Crossing animalsGermany
35. 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 • JoachimKohler-HB • CC BY-SA
Which animals might drivers encounter on roads in Germany?
Depending on the locality, drivers may meet deer, wild boar and other woodland animals. 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.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§1,3,4,16,40; Annex 1, sign 142
Warning for cattle on the road.
English • Traffic sign 101-12 • Livestock crossing — sign placed on the right.
Deutsch • Verkehrszeichen 101-12 • Viehtrieb – Aufstellung rechts.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Verwaltungsvorschriften-im-internet.de • VzKat • Zeichen 101-12
🔗 Bast.de • BASt • Verkehrszeichen als Bilddateien
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Nach den amtlichen Vorgaben digital umgesetzt durch: Mediatus • Public domain • Source revision 2017-08-20. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Warning for crossing deer.
English • Traffic sign 142-10 • Wild animals crossing — sign placed on the right.
Deutsch • Verkehrszeichen 142-10 • Wildwechsel – Aufstellung rechts.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Verwaltungsvorschriften-im-internet.de • VzKat, Anhang (Gesamtübersicht)
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Federal Highway Research Institute (Germany) • Public domain • Source revision 2017-07-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Does an animal-crossing warning sign in Germany 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.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§1,3,4,16,40; Annex 1, sign 142
What should you do if an animal enters the road in Germany?
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.
🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§1,3,4,16,40; Annex 1, sign 142

Traffic rules
Germany