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Risk of landslide
The sign warns of a risk of rock, earth, snow, etc. falling, and that fallen material may lie on the carriageway.
When you see the sign
Slow down so that you can stop if debris from a landslide is lying in the carriageway. Look well ahead for rocks, earth, snow or damage to the road, and be prepared for parts of the carriageway to be blocked. Avoid sudden steering or braking if you discover obstacles.
Rules
- The sign warns both of the risk of landslides and that landslide debris may already be lying in the carriageway.
- The sign does not set a specific speed limit, but you must adapt your speed to the visibility, road conditions and possibility of encountering obstacles.
- You must be able to stop within the section of road you can see and before any foreseeable obstacle.
- An additional panel may indicate the distance to the danger area or the length of the section affected by the danger.
Tips
- Reduce your speed before entering the exposed area, especially after heavy rain, snowmelt or major temperature changes.
- Keep a good distance from the vehicle in front so that you have time to react if it stops because of landslide debris.
- Look out for small rocks on the road, as they may indicate that more material could come loose.
- Do not swerve suddenly around a rock without first checking for oncoming traffic and making sure it is safe to use more of the carriageway.
Common misconceptions
- Some people think the sign only warns of rockfalls, but it can also apply to earth, snow and similar landslide debris.
- Some interpret the sign as a warning of a steep incline, even though it warns of a risk of landslides and possible obstacles in the carriageway.
- Some people think the sign requires a specific lower speed, but the driver must choose a safe speed based on the conditions.
Test yourself
Easy
What does this sign warn about?
- AA risk of a narrower road and oncoming traffic
- BA risk of landslides and fallen material in the carriageway
- CA risk of bends and limited visibility
- DA risk of a steep hill and reduced road grip
Medium
You pass this sign and have limited visibility ahead. What should you do?
- AIncrease your speed to get quickly past the exposed area.
- BAdapt your speed so that you can stop within the section you can see.
- CStop immediately and wait until another road user drives first.
- DKeep to the speed limit as long as you do not see fallen material.
Hard
The road is also descending steeply. Which statement about this sign is correct?
- AThe sign warns of a risk of landslides, while a steep hill is warned of by another sign.
- BThe sign warns of a steep hill, while a risk of landslides is warned of by another sign.
- CThe sign warns of both a risk of landslides and a steep hill when the mountainside is visible.
- DThe sign warns only of rockfall when the road is also descending steeply.
Theory test tip
In the theory test, the trap may be that the image resembles a steep mountainside. The correct meaning is not a steep incline, but a risk of landslides and of landslide debris lying in the carriageway.
Did you know
The sign is available in mirrored versions so that the illustration can be adapted to the side of the road from which landslides normally occur. It is often used along mountainsides, rock cuts and sections of road exposed to landslides.
Frequently asked questions
Do I always have to brake when I see the sign?
You must adjust your speed so that you can detect and stop for landslide debris. How much you need to reduce your speed depends, among other things, on visibility, road conditions and the state of the road.
Does the sign only apply when a landslide is actually happening?
No, the sign warns of an area at risk of landslides. It also warns that rocks, earth, snow or other material may be left in the carriageway.
Can I drive past landslide debris lying in the road?
Only if you can pass it safely without putting others at risk. You must not continue if the road is blocked, the surface is unstable or the public authorities have closed the section.
What does an additional panel showing a section of road beneath the warning sign mean?
It indicates the length of the section of road affected by the risk of landslides. An additional panel may also show the distance to the point where the danger begins.
Practise for the theory test
Teorio has the complete theory syllabus in your own language. Download the app and practise whenever it suits you.
