This sign (108-19), officially 'Gefälle 19%', is a crucial danger warning sign in Germany. It alerts you to a steep downhill gradient of 19%, which can significantly affect your vehicle's speed and your ability to control it. You must anticipate this situation early, adjust your speed, and select an appropriate gear before you reach the descent to maintain safety. Always consider any supplementary plates or road markings that might further clarify the warning.
This vital danger warning sign indicates a steep descent of 19%, crucial for safe driving on German roads. Master this road sign meaning for your theory test revision and understand how to adjust speed and control on gradients.
German road sign 108-19, officially designated "Gefälle 19%", belongs to the danger warning signs group. It warns about a road-layout, clearance, weather, or surface condition that can reduce control, sight distance, grip, or available space before the driver reaches the hazard. You may see it in approaches to hazards, rural roads, urban conflict points, railway crossings, roadworks, and weather-sensitive sections, depending on how the road authority has arranged the location. The practical meaning is not just the symbol itself, but the driving decision it triggers: adjust speed, position, priority, route choice, stopping behaviour, or attention before the situation becomes urgent. For learners, the key skill is anticipating what could go wrong before the hazard is visible. Always combine the sign with road markings, traffic lights, police instructions, and any supplementary plates at the same location.
German road sign 108-19 means "Descent 19%" and is officially listed as "Gefälle 19%". In practice, it tells drivers to recognise the situation early, adapt before reaching the controlled area, and check whether markings or supplementary plates change how the rule applies.
Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the 108-19 - Descent 19% road sign. Learn how the sign works, what rules it represents, and how it affects real driving situations. This FAQ strengthens your understanding and supports accurate decision making for the German driving theory exam in Germany.
The '19%' on sign 108-19 indicates the steepness of the descent. It means that for every 100 meters travelled horizontally, the road drops by 19 meters vertically. This signifies a very steep slope that requires significant braking effort and careful gear selection to control your speed.
The main danger is that your vehicle's speed can increase rapidly due to gravity. This can overwhelm your brakes, especially if they overheat from continuous use (brake fade), leading to a loss of control. It also reduces the effectiveness of steering at higher speeds and makes it harder to react to unexpected hazards.
Before reaching the descent, you should reduce your speed significantly. Shift into a lower gear (e.g., second or first gear for manual transmissions) to use engine braking, which helps control your speed without relying solely on your brakes. Increase your following distance from the vehicle in front.
A common exam trap is not anticipating the descent early enough. Drivers might wait until they are already on the steep slope to react. The sign warns you *before* the hazard, requiring proactive speed and gear adjustment. Also, forgetting to consider how a heavy vehicle or wet conditions might exacerbate the danger is a frequent mistake.
No, you should not brake hard immediately. The sign is a warning to prepare for the descent. You need to reduce speed and select a lower gear *before* entering the steep section to maintain control. Hard braking on the descent itself, especially if conditions are slippery, can cause skidding.
A clear reference image of the 108-19 - Descent 19% road sign used in Germany.
The 108-19 - Descent 19% road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The 108-19 - Descent 19% road sign is part of the German Danger Warning Signs category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.
Comparing signs like 'Descent 19%' with other danger warning signs helps cement your understanding and improve recall for the German driving theory test. Effective traffic sign comparison and mastering sign recognition are key to exam success.
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