Traffic signs are designed to protect rare animals: what drivers need to pay attention to

Created: 07/20/2022, 15:10

By: Anna Maureen Bremer

The beaver was already completely extinct in Germany - but it is back and even has its own traffic sign.

Driving can be quite nerve-wracking at times.

Currently for very different reasons.

There's the heat that makes the steering wheel glow (a simple tip helps, by the way), there are crazy traffic rules that nobody knows - and then there are incredible traffic signs whose existence is hard to believe.

But some signs are also downright cute.

If they are supposed to protect endangered animals, for example.

However, the animal signs are often not provided for in the road traffic regulations.

The beaver sign, which is found in some places in the country, should still be observed.

Beaver road sign is not provided for in the Road Traffic Act

Not many people in Germany are lucky enough to have seen a beaver in the wild.

The little animals, which are known for their dam-building, are protected in Germany and their working dams may only be lowered in urgent exceptional cases by order of the nature conservation authority.

The living quarters of the animals enjoy even greater protection.

Several cities and towns in Germany where beavers have settled choose to put up road signs to protect beavers, especially where they have to cross a road.

They can be attached in consultation with the authorities, even if the road traffic regulations do not recognize them.

The traffic signs usually refer to a change of beaver at certain times, when road users should then drive particularly carefully.