Crossing animalsBrussels

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


30. 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.

Crossing animals
Deer-crossing warning sign on the approach to Brussels from Hoeilaart. (Belgium)
Wikimedia.org • Aktron • CC BY
Which Belgian signs warn of animals crossing?

Under the current Belgian Highway Code, traffic sign A27 warns of large wild animals and traffic sign A29 warns of livestock crossing.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 7–8, 10.1–10.3, 33 and 66.4 (A27/A29)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — articles 7–8, 10.1–10.3, 33 and 66.4 (A27/A29)

Warning for crossing deer. Warning for crossing deer.

English • Traffic sign A27 • Large wild animals crossing.

Français • Signal routier A27 • Traversée de gros gibier.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord A27 • Doortocht van groot wild.

Sources

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org
Vascer • Public domain. Original SVG unmodified.

🔗 Wegcode.be • Artikel 66. Gevaarsborden (NL)
🔗 Codedelaroute.be • Article 66. Signaux de danger (FR)

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

English • Traffic sign A29 • Cattle crossing.

Français • Signal routier A29 • Traversée de bétail.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord A29 • Doortocht van vee.

Sources

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org
Vascer • Public domain. Original SVG unmodified.

🔗 Wegcode.be • Artikel 66. Gevaarsborden (NL)
🔗 Codedelaroute.be • Article 66. Signaux de danger (FR)

Does a Belgian animal-crossing warning sign impose a speed limit?

No. They are warning signs. The applicable regional, zonal, posted and vehicle-specific speed limits remain in force.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 7–8, 10.1–10.3, 33 and 66.4 (A27/A29)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — articles 7–8, 10.1–10.3, 33 and 66.4 (A27/A29)

Must you drive below the speed limit?

Yes, when necessary. Belgian drivers must adapt their speed to visibility, traffic, road conditions and foreseeable hazards and remain able to stop before an obstruction.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 7–8, 10.1–10.3, 33 and 66.4 (A27/A29)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — articles 7–8, 10.1–10.3, 33 and 66.4 (A27/A29)

When must you stop near controlled animals?

You must stop when the animals show signs of fear.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 7–8, 10.1–10.3, 33 and 66.4 (A27/A29)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — articles 7–8, 10.1–10.3, 33 and 66.4 (A27/A29)

Does the same specific stopping rule apply to wild animals?

The express rule concerning frightened animals applies to draft, load and riding animals and livestock. A driver encountering wild animals must still reduce speed or stop whenever necessary to avoid danger.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 7–8, 10.1–10.3, 33 and 66.4 (A27/A29)

🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — articles 7–8, 10.1–10.3, 33 and 66.4 (A27/A29)

1 Brussels 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Built-up area 6 Zone 7 Speed limit 8 Bike path 9 Cycling street 10 Pedestrian zone 11 Speed bump 12 Customs 13 One-way traffic 14 Quay 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Give way 20 Roundabout 21 Priority road 22 Road narrowing 23 Priority over oncoming traffic 24 Give way to oncoming traffic 25 Pedestrian crossing 26 Railway crossing 27 Mandatory direction 28 Turn prohibition 29 School area 30 Crossing animals 31 Rockfall 32 Curve 33 Chevron 34 Wrong-way driving 35 Roadworks 36 Height limit 37 Width limit 38 Weight limit 39 Radar speed sign 40 Selective barriers 41 Intersection direction sign 42 Priority at the next junction 43 Traffic lights 44 Pedestrian lights 45 Driving licence 46 Location marker 47 Traffic mirror 48 International border 49 Cycling route 50 Parking 51 No parking 52 Kiss and ride 53 Parking meter 54 Traffic management 55 Reversing 56 Uncontrolled crossroad 57 Road surface 58 Ring road 59 Cycle highway 60 Licence plate 61 Charging station 62 Dangers 63 Turn on red 64 Identity card 65 Fire risk 66 Pedestrian 67 Moped 68 Car 69 Truck 70 Bus 71 Police 72 Ambulance 73 Tram lights 74 European emission standard 75 Pothole 76 Public square 77 Path 78 Particulates 79 Air pollution 80 Rush hour 81 Road code 82 Street gutter 83 Cargo bike 84 Forestry vehicle 85 Construction vehicle 86 Semi-trailer truck 87 Trolleybus 88 Speed pedelec 89 Delivery vehicle 90 Idling 91 Tow truck 92 Four-wheel drive 93 No vehicles 94 Bicycle 95 Motorcycle equipment 96 Railcar 97 Rail track 98 Public transport 99 Caravan 100 Trailer ...