SlopeItaly
Traffic rules
Italy
12. 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.
Wikimedia.org • Mateus2019 • CC BY-SA
What does a steep-slope warning mean in Italy?
Italian signs distinguish a dangerous descent from a steep ascent. The driver must also adapt speed to the slope, visibility and vehicle; the warning does not establish a new numerical limit.
🔗 normattiva.it • Normattiva current signing regulation Article89
🔗 normattiva.it • Normattiva current Road Code Article141
🔗 normattiva.it • Normattiva current Road Code Article142
Warning for a steep ascent.
English • Traffic sign II.16 • Steep ascent. Warns of a dangerous uphill gradient. The figure gives the gradient as a percentage.
Italiano • Figura II.16 • Salita ripida. Presegnala un tratto con pendenza ascendente pericolosa. La cifra esprime la pendenza in percentuale.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 89, comma 1–2
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.16 • pagina 249
SVG source: F l a n k e r • Public domain • Original revision 2011-02-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork verified against Gazzettaufficiale.it • official published diagram II.16.
Current figure reference verified in Normattiva.it • Normattiva, current article 89.
Warning for a steep descent.
English • Traffic sign II.15 • Dangerous descent. Warns of a dangerous downhill gradient. The figure gives the gradient as a percentage.
Italiano • Figura II.15 • Discesa pericolosa. Presegnala un tratto con pendenza discendente pericolosa. La cifra esprime la pendenza in percentuale.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Normattiva.it • D.P.R. 495/1992 • testo vigente • art. 89, comma 1–2
🔗 Gazzettaufficiale.it • Gazzetta Ufficiale • Figura II.15 • pagina 249
SVG source: F l a n k e r • Public domain • Original revision 2011-02-05. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Current figure reference verified in Normattiva.it • Normattiva, current article 89.
How should I approach a steep descent in Italy?
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.
🔗 aci.gov.it • Italy, Road Code — articles 39, 140–142, 148, 150, 157–158, 191
What should I check when meeting or overtaking on a slope in Italy?
On steep or narrow mountain roads where meeting is difficult, the descending driver normally stops and gives way. The uphill driver should use a nearby passing place when that avoids reversing; the Code gives further rules for reversing and vehicle classes.
🔗 aci.gov.it • Italy, Road Code — articles 39, 140–142, 148, 150, 157–158, 191
