Hedges and trees: safety obligations

Owners of land adjacent to a road have specific obligations to ensure road safety. They must maintain hedges so that they do not narrow the roadway or damage the road or motorway. They must also regularly trim tree branches that extend beyond the road boundary, especially when these branches may hide road signs or reduce their visibility. Road signs must always remain clearly visible from an adequate distance and angle.

If, due to bad weather or any other reason, trees or branches fall onto the road, the landowner from whose property they originate is required to remove them as quickly as possible. This is essential to prevent dangerous situations for vehicles and other road users.

Anyone who fails to comply with these obligations is subject to an administrative fine. In addition to the fine, there is also an obligation to restore the situation at their own expense, for example by removing branches, trees, or any obstacles affecting traffic or visibility.

For the theory exam, it is important to remember that maintaining hedges and trees along the road is the responsibility of adjacent landowners and that vegetation must never compromise safety, visibility, or road signs.