Crossing animalsItaly

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


24. 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.

Crossing animals
Animal-crossing warning sign on the road between Vobbia and Mongiardino Ligure. (Liguria, Italy)
Wikimedia.org • Andre86 • CC0
Which animals might drivers encounter on roads in Italy?

Depending on the locality, drivers may meet deer, wild boar and livestock on rural and mountain 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.

🔗 aci.gov.it • Italy, Road Code — articles 39, 140–142, 148, 150, 157–158, 191

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 39

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 141

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 154

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

English • Traffic sign II.24 • Domestic animals. Warns of a road section where domestic animals are likely to cross.

Italiano • Figura II.24 • Animali domestici. Presegnala un tratto di strada con probabile attraversamento di animali domestici.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 95, comma 1
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.24 • pagina 251

SVG source: F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2011-02-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork verified against Gazzettaufficiale.it • official published diagram II.24.

Current figure reference verified in Normattiva.it • Normattiva, current article 95.

Warning for crossing deer. Warning for crossing deer.

English • Traffic sign II.25 • Wild animals. Warns of a road section where wild animals are likely to cross.

Italiano • Figura II.25 • Animali selvatici. Presegnala un tratto di strada con probabile attraversamento di animali selvatici.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0)
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 95, comma 1
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.25 • pagina 251

SVG source: F l a n k e r • CC BY-SA 3.0 • Original revision 2011-02-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork verified against Gazzettaufficiale.it • official published diagram II.25.

Current figure reference verified in Normattiva.it • Normattiva, current article 95.

Does an animal-crossing warning sign in Italy 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.

🔗 aci.gov.it • Italy, Road Code — articles 39, 140–142, 148, 150, 157–158, 191

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 39

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 141

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 154

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

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.

🔗 aci.gov.it • Italy, Road Code — articles 39, 140–142, 148, 150, 157–158, 191

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 39

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 141

🔗 aci.gov.it • ACI official Road Code — article 154

1 Italy 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Speed limit 5 Footpath 6 Bike path 7 Shared-use path 8 Pedestrian zone 9 Customs 10 One-way traffic 11 Quay 12 Slope 13 Bus lane 14 Bus stop 15 Dead end 16 Stop sign 17 Give way 18 Roundabout 19 Road narrowing 20 Pedestrian crossing 21 Railway crossing 22 Mandatory direction 23 Overtaking 24 Crossing animals 25 Rockfall 26 Curve 27 Chevron 28 Wrong-way driving 29 Roadworks 30 Height limit 31 Weight limit 32 Traffic lights 33 Pedestrian lights 34 Road markings 35 Driving licence 36 Location marker 37 Traffic mirror 38 Emergency telephone 39 International border 40 Cycling route 41 End of restriction 42 No parking 43 Disabled parking 44 Traffic management 45 Reversing 46 Road surface 47 Tourist attraction 48 Horn 49 Licence plate 50 Charging station 51 Dangers 52 Cyclist 53 Motorcycle 54 Truck 55 Bus 56 Police 57 Ambulance 58 European emission standard 59 Pothole 60 Path 61 Particulates 62 Air pollution 63 Rush hour 64 Road code 65 Street gutter 66 Cargo bike 67 Forestry vehicle 68 Construction vehicle 69 Semi-trailer truck 70 Trolleybus 71 Speed pedelec 72 Delivery vehicle 73 Idling 74 Tow truck 75 Four-wheel drive 76 No vehicles 77 Bicycle 78 Motorcycle equipment 79 Rail track 80 Caravan 81 Trailer 82 Tow hitch 83 Fire truck 84 Siren 85 Convoy 86 Emergency vehicle lighting 87 Agricultural machinery 88 Electric bicycle 89 Electric vehicle 90 Pedelec 91 Quadricycle 92 Microcar 93 All-terrain vehicle 94 Van 95 Recreational vehicle 96 Scooter 97 Trikke 98 Personal mobility device 99 Skateboard 100 Segway ...