How should you proceed when entering an intersection with a stop sign?

When you approach an intersection with a stop sign, it is critical to come to a complete stop and yield to any cross traffic or pedestrians. This action ensures safety for everyone on the road. The stop sign indicates that you must give way to other vehicles and pedestrians that may have the right of way. By stopping, you are allowing yourself the opportunity to assess the intersection, making sure that it is safe to proceed before entering.

Yielding to pedestrians is especially important, as they often have the right of way at intersections. Furthermore, stopping fully allows you to look in both directions for oncoming traffic, ensuring that you do not inadvertently collide with a vehicle that might not have been visible at first glance.

Failing to stop, as suggested by the other choices, can lead to dangerous situations, including accidents. Ignoring the stop sign—regardless of whether or not there are other vehicles present—compromises the rule of the road designed to protect all users.