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Driving safety guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Deer Crossing Sign and Other Animal Crossing Signs
The deer crossing sign is one of a group of warning signs about animals, people and vehicles that might enter the road. Here is what the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) says these signs mean, how they look and how they are placed.
W11-3the MUTCD designation for the Deer sign
9 animalsshown on MUTCD large animal symbol signs, from deer and cattle to moose
36 x 36 inlarge animal sign size on multi-lane conventional roads and expressways
Black on yellowthe standard warning sign colors, on a diamond shape
The short answer
A deer crossing sign (W11-3) warns that deer might enter or share the road ahead. It belongs to the MUTCD's Non-Vehicular Warning signs, which may be used in advance of locations where unexpected entries into the roadway, or shared use of the roadway by pedestrians, animals or equestrians, might occur. Like most warning signs, it is a black symbol and border on a yellow diamond. Because it warns about a condition that is not tied to one exact spot, the MUTCD says it can be placed based on engineering judgment.
Warning sign basics
Shape and color: except where the MUTCD designates otherwise, all warning signs shall be diamond-shaped with a black legend and border on a yellow background.
Sizes: the MUTCD lists the large animal signs at 30 x 30 inches on single-lane conventional roads, 36 x 36 inches on multi-lane conventional roads and expressways, and 48 x 48 inches for the oversized version. With limited exceptions, diamond-shaped warning signs facing traffic on multi-lane conventional roads where the posted speed limit is higher than 35 mph shall be at least 36 x 36 inches.
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Sections 2C.02 and 2C.03 and Table 2C-1, read November 4, 2026.
The deer crossing sign (W11-3)
What it warns of: Non-Vehicular Warning signs, including the Deer (W11-3) sign, may be used to alert road users in advance of locations where unexpected entries into the roadway might occur, or where shared use of the roadway by pedestrians, animals or equestrians might occur.
A spot or a stretch: the MUTCD notes that these conflicts might be relatively confined, or might occur randomly over a segment of roadway.
Where it goes: warning signs that advise road users about conditions not related to a specific location, such as Deer Crossing, can be installed in an appropriate location based on engineering judgment.
Not at STOP or YIELD approaches: a Non-Vehicular Warning sign assembly shall not be installed on an approach controlled by a STOP or a YIELD sign, except in limited cases the MUTCD describes for circular intersections and channelized right turn lanes.
If a collision does happen, see our guide on what to do if you hit a deer.
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2C.55 and the note to Table 2C-3, read November 4, 2026.
Other animal crossing signs
The MUTCD shows these large animal symbol signs with the Non-Vehicular Warning signs:
| Sign | Animal shown |
|---|---|
| W11-3 | Deer |
| W11-4 | Cattle |
| W11-16 | Bear |
| W11-17 | Sheep |
| W11-18 | Bighorn sheep |
| W11-19 | Donkey |
| W11-20 | Elk |
| W11-21 | Moose |
| W11-22 | Wild horse |
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2C.55, Figure 2C-15 and Table 2C-1, read November 4, 2026.
Plaques and flashing beacons
Supplemental plaques: a supplemental warning plaque may be displayed with a warning sign when engineering judgment indicates that road users need more information. It shall be installed on the same post as the sign and have the same legend, border and background color as the warning sign. Unless the MUTCD provides otherwise for a particular plaque, it shall be mounted below the sign it supplements.
Never alone: supplemental warning plaques shall not be mounted alone or displayed alone.
Warning beacons: a Warning Beacon may be used with any Non-Vehicular Warning sign to indicate specific periods when the condition or activity is present or is likely to be present, or to make the sign more conspicuous.
WHEN FLASHING: a WHEN FLASHING (W16-13P) plaque may be used with any Non-Vehicular Warning sign that has a Warning Beacon, to show the periods when the condition or activity is present or likely to be present.
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Sections 2C.55, 2C.57 and 2C.58, read November 4, 2026.
Vehicle and trail crossing signs
Related warning signs cover vehicles and people that might enter the road:
| Sign | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Farm Vehicle (W11-5), Truck (W11-10) or TRUCK CROSSING (W8-6) | Vehicular Traffic Warning signs may be used to alert road users to locations where unexpected entries into the roadway by trucks, farm vehicles and other vehicles might occur. The TRUCK CROSSING word sign may be used instead of the Truck symbol sign. |
| Bicycle (W11-1), Golf Cart (W11-11) and Horse-Drawn Vehicle (W11-14) | Also Vehicular Traffic Warning signs. Supplemental plaques such as AHEAD, XX FEET, NEXT XX MILES, IN STREET or IN ROAD may be mounted below these signs to give advance notice of unexpected entries. |
| Emergency Vehicle (W11-8) | With an EMERGENCY SIGNAL AHEAD (W11-12P) plaque, it shall be placed in advance of all emergency-vehicle traffic control signals. |
| Trail Crossing (W11-15) and TRAIL CROSSING (W11-15a) | The W11-15 sign may be used where both bicyclists and pedestrians might be crossing the road, such as at an intersection with a shared-use path. The W11-15a word sign may be used to warn of shared-use path crossings where pedestrians, bicyclists and other user groups might be crossing. |
| Pedestrian (W11-2), Snowmobile (W11-6), Equestrian (W11-7) and Handicapped (W11-9) | Non-Vehicular Warning signs. If used in advance of a crossing, they should have an AHEAD or XX FEET plaque. A post-mounted sign at the crossing point itself shall have a diagonal downward-pointing arrow (W16-7P) plaque below it. |
From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Sections 2C.54 and 2C.55, read November 4, 2026. The MUTCD says Vehicular Traffic Warning signs should be used only where sight distance is restricted or the activity or entering traffic would be unexpected, and should be removed or covered when a seasonal or temporary condition does not exist.
Keep your brakes, tires and battery ready
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 4, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Deer crossing sign FAQ
What does a deer crossing sign mean?
The Deer (W11-3) sign is one of the MUTCD's Non-Vehicular Warning signs. These signs may be used to alert road users in advance of locations where unexpected entries into the roadway might occur, or where shared use of the roadway by pedestrians, animals or equestrians might occur. The MUTCD notes these conflicts might be relatively confined or might occur randomly over a segment of roadway.
What color is a deer crossing sign?
It is a warning sign, so unless the MUTCD designates otherwise it is diamond-shaped with a black legend and border on a yellow background.
How big is a deer crossing sign?
Table 2C-1 of the MUTCD lists the large animal signs, including Deer (W11-3), at 30 x 30 inches on single-lane conventional roads, 36 x 36 inches on multi-lane conventional roads and expressways, 24 x 24 inches as the minimum size and 48 x 48 inches as the oversized version. With limited exceptions, diamond-shaped warning signs facing traffic on multi-lane conventional roads with a posted speed limit higher than 35 mph shall be at least 36 x 36 inches.
Where are deer crossing signs placed?
The MUTCD notes that warning signs about conditions that are not related to a specific location, such as Deer Crossing, can be installed in an appropriate location based on engineering judgment.
What other animal crossing signs are there?
The MUTCD shows symbol signs for Deer (W11-3), Cattle (W11-4), Bear (W11-16), Sheep (W11-17), Bighorn Sheep (W11-18), Donkey (W11-19), Elk (W11-20), Moose (W11-21) and Wild Horse (W11-22).
What does a flashing light on an animal crossing sign mean?
A Warning Beacon may be used with any Non-Vehicular Warning sign to indicate specific periods when the condition or activity is present or is likely to be present, or to make the sign more conspicuous. A WHEN FLASHING (W16-13P) plaque may be used with a sign that has a Warning Beacon to indicate the specific periods when the condition or activity is present or is likely to be present.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Book a routine checkup
Book The Works, which includes a brake inspection, tire rotation and pressure check, and battery test, at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Sign descriptions are from the Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition with Revision 1 (Revision 1 dated December 2025), read November 4, 2026. This page is a plain-language summary of national standards, not legal advice; state law sets the rules of the road where you drive. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1 (Sections 2C.02, 2C.03 and 2C.54 to 2C.58; Tables 2C-1 and 2C-3), Federal Highway Administration, Revision 1 dated December 2025 (PDF updated February 12, 2026), read November 4, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 4, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 4, 2026