What should you do when you approach a stop sign?

When you approach a stop sign, the requirement is to come to a complete stop. This action is essential to ensure that you have enough time to assess the situation at the intersection and make safe decisions about when to proceed.

Coming to a full stop allows you to observe any other vehicles or pedestrians that may be present, ensuring that you do not impede their right of way or create a hazardous situation. It also helps you adhere to traffic laws, as failing to stop fully at a stop sign can result in penalties and contribute to accidents.

While slowing down and proceeding with caution might seem reasonable, it does not satisfy the legal requirement of a complete stop, which is mandatory at stop signs. Similarly, just checking your rearview mirrors without stopping fails to ensure the intersection is clear. Yielding to oncoming traffic applies primarily in situations where traffic rules dictate sharing the road, such as at unmarked intersections or those with yield signs, rather than at designated stop signs.