SlopeUruguay
Traffic rules
Uruguay
1. Slope
A slope is a section of road that rises or descends noticeably. A steep slope can affect vehicle speed, braking distance, traction, visibility and the ability of heavy or low-powered vehicles to maintain a steady speed.
Warning signs may indicate a steep ascent or dangerous descent and may show the gradient as a percentage. Drivers should adjust their speed early, select a suitable gear and remain prepared for slow vehicles, bends and changing road conditions.
What does a steep-slope warning mean in Uruguay?
Uruguay’s Traffic and Safety Act requires control of speed and the vehicle. It also expressly requires a vehicle parked on a pronounced slope to remain fully immobilised by its brakes or other suitable devices.
🔗 impo.com.uy • Uruguay Law 18191 — Law 18191 Articles 15–16 and 19(3); amended Regulation 13.2
Warning for a steep ascent.
English • Traffic sign P-20b • Steep ascent. Select a suitable gear and adapt driving to the gradient. The standard requires a supplementary plate showing the affected length; the drawing omits it.
Español • P-20b • Pendiente ascendente. Advierte una subida pronunciada. Selecciona una marcha adecuada y adapta la conducción a la pendiente. La norma exige una placa complementaria con la longitud del tramo afectado. El dibujo mostrado no incluye esa placa.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, PDF p. 96
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, significado, PDF p. 42
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Intendencia de Durazno • Public domain • Original revision 2014-04-17. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Uruguayan MTOP Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, currently published standard: Gub.uy • P-20b, PDF page 96. Intentional educational illustration update from the previous PNG; original SVG unmodified.
Warning for a steep descent.
English • Traffic sign P-20a • Steep descent. Control speed and use a suitable gear. The standard requires a supplementary plate showing the affected length; the drawing omits it.
Español • P-20a • Pendiente descendente. Advierte una bajada pronunciada. Controla la velocidad y utiliza una marcha adecuada. La norma exige una placa complementaria con la longitud del tramo afectado. El dibujo mostrado no incluye esa placa.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, Norma Uruguaya de Señalización Vertical, PDF p. 96
🔗 Gub.uy • MTOP, significado, PDF p. 42
Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Intendencia de Durazno • Public domain • Source revision 2014-03-12. Wikimedia original unmodified.
How should I approach a steep descent in Uruguay?
Reduce speed before the descent and select a suitable gear to help control the vehicle. Keep enough following distance and avoid building up speed that requires continuous heavy braking. A warning gives no fixed safe descent speed: the gradient, surface, visibility, load and vehicle can require a speed well below the legal maximum.
🔗 impo.com.uy • Uruguay Law 18191 — Law 18191 Articles 15–16 and 19(3); amended Regulation 13.2
What should I check when meeting or overtaking on a slope in Uruguay?
Keep enough visible clear road to meet or overtake safely. Obey any separate priority controls; the fact that a road slopes does not turn a warning into a priority sign.
🔗 impo.com.uy • Uruguay Law 18191 — Law 18191 Articles 15–16 and 19(3); amended Regulation 13.2
