Warning Signs

roadSigns.labels.whenYouSee

You see this sign on the approach to a sharp single bend, a hairpin or a series of bends that cannot be read in time from the road geometry alone.

roadSigns.labels.whatToDo

You must reduce speed before entering the bend, stay in your lane and refrain from overtaking until the road geometry is again clear.

roadSigns.labels.whenYouSee

You see this sign in cold-weather mountain passes, on stretches prone to flooding or oil spillage, and at points where the surface changes from asphalt to a less grippy material.

roadSigns.labels.whatToDo

You must reduce speed, increase your following distance and avoid sudden braking, acceleration or steering inputs until the hazard has passed.

roadSigns.labels.whenYouSee

You see this sign on the approach to a marked zebra or signalised pedestrian crossing, typically on urban roads, near schools, shops or transit stops.

roadSigns.labels.whatToDo

You must reduce speed, be ready to stop, and must give way to any pedestrian who is on or stepping onto the crossing.

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The pedestrian symbol is rendered as a walking figure; in some jurisdictions the figure walks left, in others right — both forms are accepted under Vienna 1968 Section A.11.

roadSigns.labels.whenYouSee

You see this sign on the approach to schools, kindergartens, recreation grounds and roads with high concentrations of child pedestrians.

roadSigns.labels.whatToDo

You must reduce speed substantially, scan the verges and parked vehicles for children, and be prepared to stop without warning.

roadSigns.labels.whenYouSee

You see this sign on the approach to active construction zones, resurfacing operations, utility excavations and short-term maintenance such as line painting.

roadSigns.labels.whatToDo

You must reduce speed, follow any posted reduced limit, obey lane diversions and signals from workers, and refrain from overtaking within the works.

roadSigns.labels.countryNotes

Many jurisdictions use a yellow-ground variant (model Ab in Vienna 1968 Section A) or temporary orange diamond panels for road-works warnings; both are accepted under the Convention.

roadSigns.labels.whenYouSee

You see this sign on the approach to a crossroads, T-junction, Y-junction or oblique side-road junction, particularly where the side roads have low visibility or unusual geometry.

roadSigns.labels.whatToDo

You must reduce speed, check for cross-traffic from both sides, and yield to any vehicle that has priority under the local rules or other signage.

roadSigns.labels.whenYouSee

You see this sign on the approach to the first signalised junction on a route, after a long stretch of unsignalised road, or where forward visibility of the signal head is restricted by curvature, foliage or buildings.

roadSigns.labels.whatToDo

You must reduce speed and be prepared to stop at the signal; you shall obey whichever aspect the signal displays as you arrive at the stop line.

roadSigns.labels.whenYouSee

You see this sign on the approach to unguarded rural and industrial railway crossings, typically supplemented by Saint Andrew's cross markers (Section A.29) at the crossing itself and, where present, by flashing red lights.

roadSigns.labels.whatToDo

You must reduce speed, look and listen for approaching trains in both directions, and shall stop short of the crossing if a train is in sight or if any audible or visual warning is active.

roadSigns.labels.countryNotes

Most European jurisdictions still use the steam-locomotive pictogram even though steam traction has long since ceased; the symbol is retained for international recognition.

roadSigns.labels.whenYouSee

You see this sign on rural roads through forests, game reserves and migration corridors, typically with supplementary panels showing the length of the affected stretch.

roadSigns.labels.whatToDo

You must reduce speed, scan the verges actively (particularly at dawn and dusk), and be prepared to stop or take evasive action if an animal enters the carriageway.

roadSigns.labels.countryNotes

The Convention permits the deer pictogram to be replaced with a moose/elk in Scandinavia, with a camel in some Middle Eastern states, or with a kangaroo in Australia; all are accepted as Section A.15a variants.

roadSigns.labels.whenYouSee

You see this sign on the approach to mountain passes, descending alpine routes and any sustained gradient steeper than the local default (typically 7% or more across Europe).

roadSigns.labels.whatToDo

You must reduce speed before the descent, engage a lower gear to use engine braking, and shall avoid prolonged use of the service brakes to prevent overheating; heavy vehicles must obey any associated lorry-restriction panels.

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You see this sign in mountainous terrain, in cuttings through unstable strata, after heavy rainfall on alpine roads, and at any point where the verge has been recently undercut by erosion.

roadSigns.labels.whatToDo

You must reduce speed, scan the carriageway and verges for debris, and shall not stop or park within the affected stretch; if rocks are on the road you must navigate around them with care or stop at a safe distance.

roadSigns.labels.whenYouSee

You see this sign where a separated cycle path crosses the road, at the entry to rural roads that form part of a designated cycle route, and on urban streets without dedicated cycle infrastructure.

roadSigns.labels.whatToDo

You must reduce speed, check for cyclists before changing lanes or turning, and shall give cyclists adequate lateral clearance when overtaking — typically at least 1.5 m in most Vienna parties.