What should you do when approaching a stop sign?

When approaching a stop sign, the correct action is to come to a complete stop and yield to any oncoming traffic or pedestrians. This is a fundamental rule of road safety designed to ensure that all road users, including vehicles and pedestrians, are aware of each other and can navigate the intersection safely.

Coming to a complete stop allows drivers to assess their surroundings, including checking for pedestrians at crosswalks and ensuring that it is safe to proceed through the intersection. Yielding to oncoming traffic is crucial, as it prevents potential accidents that could occur if a driver were to enter the intersection without fully stopping and assessing whether it was clear.

While slowing down and proceeding cautiously may seem reasonable, it does not meet the legal requirement to stop at a stop sign, which can lead to traffic violations and unsafe situations. Speeding up to clear the intersection quickly can result in reckless driving and increase the risk of collisions. Similarly, yielding only to pedestrians neglects the responsibility to also be aware of oncoming vehicles, creating a dangerous scenario for all.