Crossing animalsDenmark

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


12. 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.

Bison warning sign and cattle grid at Almindingen Bison Forest. (Bornholm, Denmark)
Wikimedia.org • Beethoven9 • CC BY-SA
Which animals might drivers encounter on roads in Denmark?

Depending on the locality, drivers may meet deer and farm animals on rural roads. 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.

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Denmark, Road Traffic Act, LBK 118/2026 — 3, 20–23, 27, 41; signing order A signs

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Danish signing order BEK 425/2023 — operative sign and marking descriptions

Warning for cattle on the road. Warning for cattle on the road.

English • Traffic sign A 27 • Livestock. Symbols showing other animals may be used.

Dansk • Tavle A 27 • Kreaturer. På tavlen kan bruges symboler, der viser andre dyr.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Retsinformation.dk • Bekendtgørelse nr. 425/2023, § 13

SVG source: Gigillo83, drawn by original of Vejdirektoratet • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for crossing deer. Warning for crossing deer.

English • Traffic sign A 26 • Wild animals. Symbols showing other animals may be used.

Dansk • Tavle A 26 • Dyrevildt. På tavlen kan bruges symboler, der viser andre dyr.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Retsinformation.dk • Bekendtgørelse nr. 425/2023, § 13

SVG source: Gigillo83, drawn by original of Vejdirektoratet • Public domain • Original revision 2013-06-04. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Does an animal-crossing warning sign in Denmark 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.

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Denmark, Road Traffic Act, LBK 118/2026 — 3, 20–23, 27, 41; signing order A signs

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Danish signing order BEK 425/2023 — operative sign and marking descriptions

What should you do if an animal enters the road in Denmark?

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.

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Denmark, Road Traffic Act, LBK 118/2026 — 3, 20–23, 27, 41; signing order A signs

🔗 retsinformation.dk • Danish signing order BEK 425/2023 — operative sign and marking descriptions

1 Denmark 2 Motorway 3 Built-up area 4 Speed limit 5 Footpath 6 Bike path 7 Pedestrian zone 8 Bus stop 9 Give way 10 Roundabout 11 Railway crossing 12 Crossing animals 13 Wrong-way driving 14 Selective barriers 15 Traffic lights 16 Pedestrian lights 17 Road markings 18 Driving licence 19 Traffic mirror 20 International border 21 Cycling route 22 Parking 23 No parking 24 No stopping 25 Parallel parking 26 Parking meter 27 Parking disc 28 Disabled parking 29 Traffic management 30 Reversing 31 Emergency exit 32 Licence plate 33 Charging station 34 Dangers 35 Cyclist 36 Bus 37 Police 38 Ambulance 39 European emission standard 40 Pothole 41 Path 42 Particulates 43 Air pollution 44 Rush hour 45 Road code 46 Street gutter 47 Cargo bike 48 Forestry vehicle 49 Construction vehicle 50 Semi-trailer truck 51 Trolleybus 52 Speed pedelec 53 Delivery vehicle 54 Idling 55 Tow truck 56 Four-wheel drive 57 No vehicles 58 Bicycle 59 Motorcycle equipment 60 Tram 61 Rail track 62 Caravan 63 Trailer 64 Tow hitch 65 Fire truck 66 Siren 67 Convoy 68 Emergency vehicle lighting 69 Agricultural machinery 70 Electric bicycle 71 Electric vehicle 72 Pedelec 73 Quadricycle 74 Microcar 75 All-terrain vehicle 76 Van 77 Recreational vehicle 78 Scooter 79 Trikke 80 Personal mobility device 81 Skateboard 82 Segway 83 Kick scooter 84 Roller skates 85 Mailman 86 Hitchhiker 87 Toddler 88 Child 89 Disability 90 Commercial vehicle 91 Motorail 92 Garbage truck 93 Parking violation 94 km/h 95 mph 96 Speedometer 97 National speed 98 Ride height 99 Dirt road 100 Driving ...