Crossing animalsAustralia
22. 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 • Hossen27 • CC BY-SA
Which animals might drivers encounter on roads in Australia?
Depending on the locality, drivers may meet kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and livestock, particularly on regional 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.
🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — crossing-animals
Warning for cattle on the road.
English • Stock warning family • cattle illustration • Cattle on the road. Cattle may be on or crossing the road ahead. Reduce speed and be prepared to stop. Illustration identified by its sign family or meaning; the exact current prescribed design has not been confirmed.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transport.nsw.gov.au • Transport for NSW • Stock warning family • cattle illustration
🔗 Tmr.qld.gov.au • Queensland MUTCD • May2026 • stock warning variants
SVG source: Standards Australia • Public domain • Original revision 2024-09-19. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork verified against Qld.gov.au • official published diagram W5-38.
Does an animal-crossing warning sign in Australia 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.
🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — crossing-animals
What should you do if an animal enters the road in Australia?
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.
🔗 nsw.gov.au • Australia, NSW official road-user guidance — crossing-animals

Traffic rules
Australia