Crossing animalsPoland

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


36. 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.

Ceramic boundary pillar on Szosa Brzeska near Falbanka Roundabout. (Włocławek, Poland)
Wikimedia.org • Mariochom • CC BY-SA
Which animals might drivers encounter on roads in Poland?

Depending on the locality, drivers may meet deer, elk and wild boar on wooded rural routes. 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.

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, Road Traffic Law — articles 3, 19–20, 23–24, 49; Signs 3–12

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, traffic signs and signals — 2019/2310 consolidation, read with subsequent amendments

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

English • Traffic sign A-18a • Livestock. Signs A-18a, Livestock, and A-18b, Wild animals, warn that animals may be encountered on the road.

Polski • A-18a • zwierzęta gospodarskie. Znaki: A-18a „zwierzęta gospodarskie”, A-18b „zwierzęta dzikie” ostrzegają o możliwości napotkania na drodze zwierząt.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Eli.gov.pl • § 9 ust. 3

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Paweł Grzywocz • Public domain • Original revision 2025-10-07. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Polish official sign catalogue, Dz.U. 2019 poz. 2310: Eli.gov.pl • A-18a, PDF page 41, with amendments 2021/433, 2021/2065, 2022/2372 and 2026/133 checked. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

Warning for crossing deer. Warning for crossing deer.

English • Traffic sign A-18b • Wild animals. Signs A-18a, Livestock, and A-18b, Wild animals, warn that animals may be encountered on the road.

Polski • A-18b • zwierzęta dzikie. Znaki: A-1 8a „zwierzęta gospodarskie”, A-18b „zwierzęta dzikie” ostrzegają o możliwości napotkania na drodze zwierząt.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Eli.gov.pl • § 9 ust.

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Paweł Grzywocz • Public domain • Original revision 2025-10-07. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Artwork reviewed against the Polish official sign catalogue, Dz.U. 2019 poz. 2310: Eli.gov.pl • A-18b, PDF page 41, with amendments 2021/433, 2021/2065, 2022/2372 and 2026/133 checked. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.

Does an animal-crossing warning sign in Poland 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.

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, Road Traffic Law — articles 3, 19–20, 23–24, 49; Signs 3–12

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, traffic signs and signals — 2019/2310 consolidation, read with subsequent amendments

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

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.

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, Road Traffic Law — articles 3, 19–20, 23–24, 49; Signs 3–12

🔗 eli.gov.pl • Poland, traffic signs and signals — 2019/2310 consolidation, read with subsequent amendments

1 Poland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Built-up area 6 Zone 7 Speed limit 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Separated path 12 Pedestrian warning 13 Tunnel 14 Speed bump 15 Toll road 16 Customs 17 One-way traffic 18 Quay 19 Slope 20 Bus lane 21 Bus stop 22 Dead end 23 Stop sign 24 Give way 25 Roundabout 26 Priority road 27 Road narrowing 28 Priority over oncoming traffic 29 Give way to oncoming traffic 30 Pedestrian crossing 31 Railway crossing 32 Mandatory direction 33 Turn prohibition 34 School area 35 Overtaking 36 Crossing animals 37 Curve 38 Chevron 39 Wrong-way driving 40 Roadworks 41 Height limit 42 Weight limit 43 Radar speed sign 44 Priority at the next junction 45 Traffic lights 46 Traffic lights warning 47 Pedestrian lights 48 Road markings 49 Junction layout 50 Driving licence 51 Traffic mirror 52 International border 53 Pedestrian underpass 54 Cycling route 55 Parking 56 No parking 57 No stopping 58 Park and ride 59 Kiss and ride 60 Disabled parking 61 Traffic management 62 Merging 63 Reversing 64 U-turn 65 Road surface 66 Provisional licence 67 Hazardous cargo 68 Radio service 69 Tourist attraction 70 Horn 71 Licence plate 72 Charging station 73 Dangers 74 Rail safety 75 Pedestrian 76 Cyclist 77 Car 78 Truck 79 Bus 80 Police 81 Ambulance 82 Taxi 83 European emission standard 84 Public road 85 Pothole 86 Private property 87 Path 88 Particulates 89 Air pollution 90 Rush hour 91 Road code 92 Two-way traffic 93 Street gutter 94 Cargo bike 95 Forestry vehicle 96 Construction vehicle 97 Semi-trailer truck 98 Trolleybus 99 Speed pedelec 100 Delivery vehicle ...