What is required when you see a ‘stop’ sign?

When you see a ‘stop’ sign, the requirement is to come to a complete stop before proceeding. This traffic control sign is designed to ensure that vehicles pause completely at the intersection, allowing the driver to assess the surroundings for any other road users, including other vehicles and pedestrians. This complete stop is crucial as it enhances safety by ensuring drivers have a clear view of potential hazards before they move forward.

While slowing down before proceeding is often a good practice, it does not fulfill the obligation imposed by a stop sign, which necessitates a full stop. Yielding to pedestrians specifically is important but is only one aspect of the broader requirement to stop and check for all traffic. Checking for traffic before continuing is a necessary action following the stop, but the critical first step mandated by the stop sign is to come to that complete halt.