Crossing animalsPortugal
14. 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 • Froth82 • CC BY-SA
Which animals might drivers encounter on roads in Portugal?
Depending on the locality, drivers may meet livestock and wildlife on rural and mountainous 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.
🔗 pgdlisboa.pt • Portugal, Código da Estrada — articles 3, 24–28, 33–35, 38, 41, 49; RST A warnings
🔗 ansr.pt • ANSR official RST — corrected 2019 republication, sign descriptions and markings
Warning for cattle on the road.
English • Traffic sign A19a • Animals. Indicates a road section where unaccompanied animals may be encountered.
Português • A19a • Animais. Indicação de um troço de via em que podem ser encontrados animais sem condutor.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Gigillo83 • CC BY-SA 4.0)
🔗 Diariodarepublica.pt • Regulamento de Sinalização do Trânsito • artigo 19.º • A19a
🔗 Ansr.pt • Republicação oficial retificada • A19a • página 10
SVG source: Gigillo83 • CC BY-SA 4.0 • Original revision 2015-03-17. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Warning for crossing deer.
English • Traffic sign A19b • Wild animals. Indicates that wild animals may cross the road.
Português • A19b • Animais selvagens. Indicação de que a via pode ser atravessada por animais selvagens.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org (Gigillo83 • CC BY-SA 4.0)
🔗 Diariodarepublica.pt • Regulamento de Sinalização do Trânsito • artigo 19.º • A19b
🔗 Ansr.pt • Republicação oficial retificada • A19b • página 10
SVG source: Gigillo83 • CC BY-SA 4.0 • Original revision 2015-03-17. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Does an animal-crossing warning sign in Portugal 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.
🔗 pgdlisboa.pt • Portugal, Código da Estrada — articles 3, 24–28, 33–35, 38, 41, 49; RST A warnings
🔗 ansr.pt • ANSR official RST — corrected 2019 republication, sign descriptions and markings
What should you do if an animal enters the road in Portugal?
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.
🔗 pgdlisboa.pt • Portugal, Código da Estrada — articles 3, 24–28, 33–35, 38, 41, 49; RST A warnings
🔗 ansr.pt • ANSR official RST — corrected 2019 republication, sign descriptions and markings

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