Crossing animalsSweden

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


17. 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.

Moose-crossing warning sign beside road 262. (Sweden)
Wikimedia.org • Michal Klajban • CC BY-SA
Which animals might drivers encounter on roads in Sweden?

Watch for animals on or beside the road. The animal warning identifies a place or section with a particular risk, and its symbol can vary. Slow for the actual conditions and check the road edges; do not assume the hazard ends immediately after the sign.

🔗 data.riksdagen.se • Sweden: Traffic Ordinance chapter 2 section 1, chapter 3 sections 14-15,64; Signs Ordinance A19

🔗 riksdagen.se • Sweden: Road Signs Ordinance 2007:90

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

English • Traffic sign A19 • Animals. Indicates a place or section with a particular risk of animals on or beside the road. Other animal symbols may be used. The Swedish Transport Agency may prescribe which other symbols are permitted.

Svenska • Vägmärke A19 • Varning för djur. Märket anger en plats eller vägsträcka där det finns särskild risk för djur på eller vid vägen. Andra symboler kan förekomma på märket. Transportstyrelsen får meddela föreskrifter om vilka andra symboler som får förekomma.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transportstyrelsen.se • Transportstyrelsen • A19 (SV)

SVG source: Government of the Kingdom of Sweden • Public domain • Original revision 2022-03-08. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for crossing deer. Warning for crossing deer.

English • Traffic sign A19 • Animals. Indicates a place or section with a particular risk of animals on or beside the road. Other animal symbols may be used. The Swedish Transport Agency may prescribe which other symbols are permitted.

Svenska • Vägmärke A19 • Varning för djur. Märket anger en plats eller vägsträcka där det finns särskild risk för djur på eller vid vägen. Andra symboler kan förekomma på märket. Transportstyrelsen får meddela föreskrifter om vilka andra symboler som får förekomma.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transportstyrelsen.se • Transportstyrelsen • A19 (SV)

SVG source: Government of the Kingdom of Sweden • Public domain • Original revision 2022-03-08. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Does an animal-crossing warning sign in Sweden 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.

🔗 data.riksdagen.se • Sweden: Traffic Ordinance chapter 2 section 1, chapter 3 sections 14-15,64; Signs Ordinance A19

🔗 riksdagen.se • Sweden: Road Signs Ordinance 2007:90

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

Brake as necessary while keeping control and checking the surrounding traffic. Avoid swerving into opposing traffic or off the road. Give livestock and ridden animals room, avoid unnecessary horn use, and watch for more animals following.

🔗 data.riksdagen.se • Sweden: Traffic Ordinance chapter 2 section 1, chapter 3 sections 14-15,64; Signs Ordinance A19

🔗 riksdagen.se • Sweden: Road Signs Ordinance 2007:90

1 Sweden 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Built-up area 5 Speed limit 6 Bike path 7 Shared-use path 8 Toll road 9 Quay 10 Slope 11 Bus stop 12 Stop sign 13 Give way 14 Roundabout 15 Pedestrian crossing 16 Railway crossing 17 Crossing animals 18 Roadworks 19 Height limit 20 Selective barriers 21 Traffic lights 22 Pedestrian lights 23 Traffic mirror 24 Cycling route 25 Parking 26 No parking 27 No stopping 28 Reversing 29 Licence plate 30 Charging station 31 Dangers 32 Bus 33 Police 34 Ambulance 35 European emission standard 36 Pothole 37 Path 38 Particulates 39 Air pollution 40 Rush hour 41 Road code 42 2+1 Road 43 2-1 Road 44 Street gutter 45 Cargo bike 46 Forestry vehicle 47 Construction vehicle 48 Semi-trailer truck 49 Trolleybus 50 Speed pedelec 51 Delivery vehicle 52 Idling 53 Tow truck 54 Four-wheel drive 55 Bicycle 56 Motorcycle equipment 57 Rail track 58 Caravan 59 Trailer 60 Tow hitch 61 Fire truck 62 Siren 63 Convoy 64 Emergency vehicle lighting 65 Agricultural machinery 66 Electric bicycle 67 Electric vehicle 68 Pedelec 69 Quadricycle 70 Microcar 71 All-terrain vehicle 72 Van 73 Recreational vehicle 74 Scooter 75 Trikke 76 Personal mobility device 77 Skateboard 78 Segway 79 Kick scooter 80 Roller skates 81 Mailman 82 Hitchhiker 83 Toddler 84 Child 85 Disability 86 Motorail 87 km/h 88 mph 89 Speedometer 90 Ride height 91 Dirt road 92 Driving 93 Start-stop system 94 Manual transmission 95 Automatic transmission 96 Throttle 97 Tachometer 98 Steering wheel 99 Power steering 100 Visual scanning ...