The ST13 'Acidente' sign warns you about an accident ahead, indicating a need to adjust your driving. As part of Portugal's temporary vertical signs, it signals that road conditions have changed due to an incident. You must slow down, be prepared for lane changes, obstacles, or altered traffic flows, and follow any temporary channels or instructions provided by cones, barriers, or personnel.
Master the ST13 'Acidente' sign, crucial for understanding Portuguese traffic rules and safe driving. This explanation helps prepare for your theory test by clarifying hazard recognition and appropriate responses near incident sites.
ST13 - Acidente (Acidente) belongs to the Portuguese temporary vertical signs category in the Regulamento de Sinalização do Trânsito. Visually, this belongs to the temporary-road-signing environment, where yellow signs, movable equipment, barriers, cones, beacons, or alignment devices guide traffic around works, closures, obstacles, and temporary hazards. The official wording is: acidente; Acidente: indica a aproximação de um local onde ocorreu um acidente. It reflects the current temporary layout and must be treated as the active instruction where works, incidents, closures, or obstacles change normal conditions. For theory preparation, connect the sign to a concrete driving decision: where to look, when to slow, whether to stop or yield, which route or lane to choose, and whether any panel changes the scope of the rule. On the road, interpret it together with markings, traffic lights, police directions, temporary works signs, and any additional panel placed with it. A strong exam answer explains both recognition and behaviour: not only what the sign is called, but what a safe and lawful driver must do next.
ST13 - Acidente (Acidente) means that the driver must understand and apply this official Portuguese instruction: acidente; Acidente: indica a aproximação de um local onde ocorreu um acidente. In practical terms, you should slow down, follow the temporary channel or instruction, and expect lanes, priorities, workers, obstacles, or carriageway limits to differ from normal.
Get clear, practical answers to the most common questions about the ST13 - ST13 - Acidente (Acidente) 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 Portuguese driving theory exam in Portugal.
The ST13 'Acidente' sign indicates that you are approaching a location where an accident has occurred. This is a temporary sign and means the normal road layout and conditions may be altered due to the incident, requiring you to drive with caution.
When you see the ST13 'Acidente' sign, you should immediately reduce your speed. Be attentive to changes in lane configuration, potential obstacles, or temporary traffic management systems like cones or barriers, and follow any instructions given.
A common trap is assuming the permanent road layout still applies. The ST13 sign signifies a temporary situation that overrides normal road conditions. Learners might also fail to slow down sufficiently or fail to anticipate unexpected lane closures or diversions.
Not necessarily a full closure, but the ST13 sign warns of conditions that might affect your normal progress. It could mean a lane is closed, traffic is being diverted, or there are obstacles. Always follow the temporary route or lane instructions provided on-site.
The ST13 specifically warns of an accident ahead. Other temporary signs might indicate road works, diversions, or temporary hazards. However, all temporary signs, including ST13, signal a deviation from the normal road conditions and require increased caution and adherence to temporary instructions.
A clear reference image of the ST13 - ST13 - Acidente (Acidente) road sign used in Portugal.

The ST13 - ST13 - Acidente (Acidente) road sign may also be known by these alternative names or terms.
The ST13 - ST13 - Acidente (Acidente) road sign is part of the Temporary Vertical Signs category, which groups together signs with similar rules and functions.
Comparing similar road signs like the ST13 Accident sign helps solidify your understanding and improve recall for the Portuguese theory test. Practicing traffic sign comparison is key to sign recognition and effective theory test revision.

ST10 Circulação Alternada: Navigating Temporary Traffic Flow

ST11 Trânsito sujeito a demora: Prepare for Delays and Temporary Road Changes

ST12: Understand the Emergency Telephone Sign for Temporary Traffic Management

ST14 Fim de Obras: End of Temporary Roadworks Zone Sign

ST1a: Understand the Number and Direction of Traffic Lanes

ST1b: Follow Temporary Lane Numbers and Directions

ST1c: Follow the Temporary Lane Number and Direction Instructions

Understand Temporary Lane Changes with the ST1d Sign
After reviewing the full list, explore signs by specific categories such as warning, regulatory, or informational to deepen your understanding. Practise recognizing signs in context and prepare effectively for your Portuguese driving licence theory test.
All Portuguese Road Signs List