Road surfaceAustria

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


51. Road surface

A road surface warning indicates that the road ahead may be uneven, damaged or in poor condition and could affect the stability, steering or braking of a vehicle. The hazard may include bumps, depressions, potholes, broken pavement or other irregularities in the road surface.

Drivers should reduce speed where necessary, maintain a safe distance and avoid sudden steering or braking when passing over an irregular surface. The exact meaning and appearance of the warning sign vary between countries, so drivers must follow the local traffic signs and regulations.

Road surface
Uneven road warning sign at tram-track roadworks on Theodor-Körner-Straße. (Graz, Austria)
Wikimedia.org • holding graz • CC BY
Warning for a bad road surface.
Warning for a bad road surface.
What does a road surface warning mean?

A road surface warning indicates that the surface ahead may be uneven, damaged or otherwise capable of affecting the safe movement of vehicles.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 7, 11 and 13; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 226–237; national guidance example

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section A, surface, gradient, wind and other hazards; sign-system reference

What should you do when you see a road surface warning?

Reduce speed where necessary, increase your awareness of the road ahead and be prepared for changes in the vehicle's stability or direction.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 7, 11 and 13; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 226–237; national guidance example

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section A, surface, gradient, wind and other hazards; sign-system reference

Does a road surface warning impose a specific speed limit?

Not normally. A warning sign alerts drivers to a hazard rather than establishing a numerical speed limit. A separate speed-limit sign may be used where a particular maximum speed is required.

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, Articles 7, 11 and 13; international framework subject to national law

🔗 gov.uk • Great Britain Highway Code, Rules 226–237; national guidance example

🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, Annex 1, section A, surface, gradient, wind and other hazards; sign-system reference

1 Austria 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Tunnel 11 Cycling street 12 Pedestrian zone 13 One-way traffic 14 Quay 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Give way to oncoming traffic 24 Railway crossing 25 Mandatory direction 26 Turn prohibition 27 School area 28 Overtaking 29 Crossing animals 30 Wrong-way driving 31 Roadworks 32 Height limit 33 Width limit 34 Weight limit 35 Priority at the next junction 36 Traffic lights 37 Pedestrian lights 38 Speed feedback 39 Driving licence 40 Location marker 41 Traffic mirror 42 Emergency telephone 43 International border 44 Cycling route 45 Parking 46 No parking 47 No stopping 48 Disabled parking 49 Reversing 50 Uncontrolled crossroad 51 Road surface 52 Provisional licence 53 Runaway truck ramp 54 City limit 55 Cyclist crossing 56 Horn 57 Licence plate 58 Charging station 59 Dangers 60 Cyclist 61 Bus 62 Police 63 Ambulance 64 Police signals 65 European emission standard 66 Pothole 67 Private property 68 Path 69 Particulates 70 Air pollution 71 Rush hour 72 Road code 73 Street gutter 74 Cargo bike 75 Forestry vehicle 76 Construction vehicle 77 Semi-trailer truck 78 Trolleybus 79 Speed pedelec 80 Delivery vehicle 81 Idling 82 Tow truck 83 Four-wheel drive 84 No vehicles 85 Bicycle 86 Motorcycle equipment 87 Tram 88 Rail track 89 Caravan 90 Trailer 91 Tow hitch 92 Fire truck 93 Siren 94 Convoy 95 Emergency vehicle lighting 96 Agricultural machinery 97 Electric bicycle 98 Electric vehicle 99 Pedelec 100 Quadricycle ...