Slippery roadRomania

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


9. Slippery road

A slippery road has reduced tyre grip and can make steering, braking and acceleration less effective. Roads may become slippery because of rain, ice, snow, mud, oil, loose material or other substances on the surface. Drivers should reduce speed, increase their following distance and avoid sudden steering, braking or acceleration. Extra caution is needed in bends, on bridges and wherever the road surface changes unexpectedly.

Slippery road
Rockfall on national road DN10 near Siriu Lake. (Romania)
Wikimedia.org • Andrei_Stroe • CC BY-SA
What can make roads slippery in Romania?

Be prepared for snow, black ice and mud on rural or mountain roads. A surface can become slippery even if it looks clear, and different parts of the road may have very different grip.

🔗 legislatie.just.ro • Romania, OUG 195/2002 — articles 35, 48–50, 102(1)(28); Regulation 120, 123, 127, 135

🔗 legislatie.just.ro • Romania, HG1391/2006 implementing Regulation — articles 120, 123, 127, 135

How should you drive on a slippery road in Romania?

Reduce speed early, increase following distance and use smooth controls. Romania additionally requires no more than 30 km/h in built-up areas or 50 km/h outside them when the carriageway is covered by black ice, ice, packed snow, slippery grime or wet stone paving. Poor grip can require a still lower speed; follow any lower applicable restriction.

🔗 legislatie.just.ro • Romania, OUG 195/2002 — articles 35, 48–50, 102(1)(28); Regulation 120, 123, 127, 135

🔗 legislatie.just.ro • Romania, HG1391/2006 implementing Regulation — articles 120, 123, 127, 135

Are special winter tyres or equipment required in Romania?

Romania requires suitable winter tyres when public roads are covered with snow, ice or black ice, without one fixed calendar start date for cars. The driver must still adapt speed to actual conditions.

🔗 legislatie.just.ro • Romania, OUG 195/2002 — articles 35, 48–50, 102(1)(28); Regulation 120, 123, 127, 135

🔗 legislatie.just.ro • Romania, HG1391/2006 implementing Regulation — articles 120, 123, 127, 135

1 Romania 2 Motorway 3 Built-up area 4 Speed limit 5 Stop sign 6 Priority road 7 Railway crossing 8 School area 9 Slippery road 10 Roadworks 11 Radar speed sign 12 Traffic lights 13 Driving licence 14 International border 15 No stopping 16 Traffic management 17 Reversing 18 Road surface 19 Licence plate 20 Bus 21 Police 22 Ambulance 23 European emission standard 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 Motorail 73 km/h 74 mph 75 Speedometer 76 Ride height 77 Dirt road 78 Driving 79 Start-stop system 80 Manual transmission 81 Automatic transmission 82 Throttle 83 Tachometer 84 Steering wheel 85 Power steering 86 Visual scanning 87 Mirror 88 Fuel 89 Fuel gauge 90 Petrol 91 Diesel 92 Diesel exhaust fluid 93 Car insurance 94 First aid kit 95 Fire extinguisher 96 High-visibility clothing 97 First aid 98 Concrete step barrier 99 Barriers 100 Vehicle lights ...