What must you do when you encounter a stop sign?

When you encounter a stop sign, the correct action is to stop, yield to any pedestrians who may be crossing the intersection, and then proceed when it is safe to do so. This rule is in place to ensure the safety of all road users, particularly pedestrians who may be crossing the road at a stop sign. The primary purpose of a stop sign is to clearly indicate that drivers must come to a complete stop to properly assess the intersection and yield to any traffic or pedestrians that may have the right of way.

While it is important to drive cautiously and be aware of other vehicles and pedestrians, simply slowing down without coming to a full stop does not fulfill the legal requirement that's been established to prevent accidents at intersections. Stopping only when other cars are present does not take into account the safety of pedestrians or the possibility of other vehicles approaching from different directions, thus failing to ensure a safe crossing. Continuing to drive without stopping, even if the way appears clear, disregards the responsibility of a driver to follow traffic control devices like stop signs. Therefore, stopping is essential to fulfilling the laws of the road and promoting safety for everyone involved.