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Crossing animalsIndia

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

10. 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.

Elephant-corridor warning board in the Anaimalai Tiger Reserve. (Tamil Nadu, India)
Wikimedia.org • PJeganathan • CC BY-SA
Which animals might drivers encounter on roads in India?

An animal-warning sign identifies a risk of animals entering the road. Read the actual pictogram, supplementary information and local warnings. Slow when animals may be present, leave space and watch for more animals following. The sign does not establish that the hazard ends immediately beyond it.

🔗 morth.gov.in • India — Driving Regulations 3–5, 6–16, 22 and 24: actual controls and safe circulation

🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices

🔗 simpliance.in • GSR 586(E), 25 September 2020 — full government gazette reproduction, Regulations 37–38

🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — official mandatory, cautionary and informatory sign groups

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — mandatory signs, actual signs and accompanying instructions

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — cautionary signs, actual hazard guidance

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — direction and facility information

Does an animal-crossing warning sign in India 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.

🔗 morth.gov.in • India — Driving Regulations 3–5, 6–16, 22 and 24: actual controls and safe circulation

🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices

🔗 simpliance.in • GSR 586(E), 25 September 2020 — full government gazette reproduction, Regulations 37–38

🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — official mandatory, cautionary and informatory sign groups

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — mandatory signs, actual signs and accompanying instructions

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — cautionary signs, actual hazard guidance

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — direction and facility information

What should you do if an animal enters the road in India?

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.

🔗 morth.gov.in • India — Driving Regulations 3–5, 6–16, 22 and 24: actual controls and safe circulation

🔗 morth.gov.in • MoRTH — GSR 38(E), 15 January 2024, clause 12: indirect-vision devices

🔗 simpliance.in • GSR 586(E), 25 September 2020 — full government gazette reproduction, Regulations 37–38

🔗 pib.gov.in • PIB/MoRTH — official confirmation of the 2020 driving-regulation amendment

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — official mandatory, cautionary and informatory sign groups

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — mandatory signs, actual signs and accompanying instructions

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — cautionary signs, actual hazard guidance

🔗 transport.jharkhand.gov.in • Jharkhand Transport — direction and facility information

1 India 2 Speed limit 3 Toll road 4 Bus stop 5 Stop sign 6 Roundabout 7 Pedestrian crossing 8 Railway crossing 9 School area 10 Crossing animals 11 Curve 12 Roadworks 13 Priority at the next junction 14 Traffic lights 15 Driving licence 16 Traffic mirror 17 No stopping 18 Reversing 19 Licence plate 20 Charging station 21 Bus 22 Police 23 Ambulance 24 Pothole 25 Path 26 Particulates 27 Air pollution 28 Rush hour 29 Road code 30 Street gutter 31 Cargo bike 32 Forestry vehicle 33 Construction vehicle 34 Semi-trailer truck 35 Trolleybus 36 Speed pedelec 37 Delivery vehicle 38 Idling 39 Tow truck 40 Four-wheel drive 41 Bicycle 42 Motorcycle equipment 43 Rail track 44 Caravan 45 Trailer 46 Tow hitch 47 Fire truck 48 Siren 49 Convoy 50 Emergency vehicle lighting 51 Agricultural machinery 52 Electric bicycle 53 Electric vehicle 54 Pedelec 55 Quadricycle 56 Microcar 57 All-terrain vehicle 58 Van 59 Recreational vehicle 60 Scooter 61 Trikke 62 Personal mobility device 63 Skateboard 64 Segway 65 Kick scooter 66 Roller skates 67 Mailman 68 Hitchhiker 69 Toddler 70 Child 71 Disability 72 Handcart 73 Motorail 74 km/h 75 mph 76 Speedometer 77 Ride height 78 Dirt road 79 Driving 80 Start-stop system 81 Manual transmission 82 Automatic transmission 83 Throttle 84 Tachometer 85 Steering wheel 86 Power steering 87 Visual scanning 88 Mirror 89 Fuel 90 Fuel gauge 91 Petrol 92 Diesel 93 Diesel exhaust fluid 94 Car insurance 95 First aid kit 96 Fire extinguisher 97 High-visibility clothing 98 First aid 99 Concrete step barrier 100 Barriers ...