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Crossing animalsWorldwide

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

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Worldwide

41. 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.

Deer warning for 600 metres. (Bedburg-Hau, Germany)
Wikimedia.org • Pieter Delicaat • CC BY-SA
What does an animals-crossing sign mean?

It warns that animals may enter or cross the road in the area ahead.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section A, pedestrian, child, animal and signal warnings; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 7, 13 and 18–21; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 204–218; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, warning signs

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

Warning for crossing deer. Warning for crossing deer.

Does the sign impose a speed limit?

No. The normal posted or general speed limit remains applicable, but drivers must reduce speed when necessary to react safely.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section A, pedestrian, child, animal and signal warnings; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 7, 13 and 18–21; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 204–218; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, warning signs

Do animals have priority because of the sign?

No automatic priority is created by the warning sign. Drivers must nevertheless avoid danger and allow animals already on the road to pass safely.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section A, pedestrian, child, animal and signal warnings; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 7, 13 and 18–21; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 204–218; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, warning signs

How should you approach an animal-crossing area?

Reduce speed, increase your following distance and scan the road, verges, fields and vegetation for movement or reflected eyes.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section A, pedestrian, child, animal and signal warnings; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 7, 13 and 18–21; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 204–218; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, warning signs

What should motorcyclists and cyclists do?

Reduce speed, keep both hands firmly in control and avoid sudden movements. Animals may react unexpectedly to quiet or fast-approaching two-wheeled vehicles.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section A, pedestrian, child, animal and signal warnings; sign-system reference

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 7, 13 and 18–21; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 204–218; national guidance example

🔗 gov.uk • UK Department for Transport, Know Your Traffic Signs, warning signs

1 Worldwide 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Built-up area 6 Zone 7 Speed limit 8 Minimum speed 9 Advisory speed 10 Footpath 11 Bike path 12 Shared-use path 13 Separated path 14 Pedestrian warning 15 Tunnel 16 Bridge 17 Cycling street 18 Pedestrian zone 19 Speed bump 20 Toll road 21 Customs 22 One-way traffic 23 Quay 24 Slope 25 Bus lane 26 Bus stop 27 Dead end 28 Stop sign 29 Give way 30 Roundabout 31 Priority road 32 Road narrowing 33 Priority over oncoming traffic 34 Give way to oncoming traffic 35 Pedestrian crossing 36 Railway crossing 37 Mandatory direction 38 Turn prohibition 39 School area 40 Overtaking 41 Crossing animals 42 Slippery road 43 Rockfall 44 Aircraft 45 Curve 46 Chevron 47 Wrong-way driving 48 Roadworks 49 Crosswind 50 Height limit 51 Width limit 52 Length limit 53 Weight limit 54 Radar speed sign 55 Selective barriers 56 Low-emission zone 57 Intersection direction sign 58 Priority at the next junction 59 Traffic lights 60 Traffic lights warning 61 Pedestrian lights 62 Road markings 63 All-way stop 64 Junction layout 65 Climbing lane 66 Bike box 67 Left-hand traffic 68 Speed feedback 69 Driving licence 70 Location marker 71 Road number 72 Countdown markers 73 Public toilet 74 Rest area 75 Traffic mirror 76 Emergency telephone 77 International border 78 Pedestrian underpass 79 Cycling route 80 End of restriction 81 Parking 82 No parking 83 No stopping 84 Parallel parking 85 Park and ride 86 Kiss and ride 87 Alternate-side parking 88 Parking meter 89 Parking disc 90 Disabled parking 91 Traffic management 92 Merging 93 Reversing 94 U-turn 95 Carpool 96 Traffic jam 97 Detour 98 Uncontrolled crossroad 99 Road surface 100 Advisory cycle lane ...