What must you do when you see a stop sign?

When you encounter a stop sign, the law requires you to come to a complete stop. This means your vehicle must halt fully before proceeding. The purpose of the stop sign is to ensure that drivers observe the intersection carefully and yield the right of way to any other vehicles or pedestrians that may be present.

Stopping completely allows you to evaluate the situation at the intersection thoroughly, ensuring that it is safe to proceed. This practice is crucial for maintaining road safety and preventing accidents, as it allows all road users the chance to assess their own intentions and act accordingly.

In contrast, slowing down and proceeding cautiously might not provide enough time to assess the surroundings and could lead to unsafe situations. Ignoring the sign altogether disregards traffic laws and can result in dangerous consequences. Yielding only if other cars are present may not always be appropriate, as there could be situations where pedestrians or other factors require a complete stop irrespective of other vehicles being present.