What does a stop sign indicate?

A stop sign indicates that a driver must come to a complete stop at the marked stop line, crosswalk, or intersection. This is crucial for ensuring that the driver checks for oncoming traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians before safely proceeding. This requirement is designed to enhance safety at intersections, where the risk of collision is higher due to multiple traffic flows intersecting.

While slowing down and proceeding with caution is a general practice for safe driving, it does not fulfill the legal requirement of stopping at a stop sign. The yield option applies specifically to pedestrians and does not encompass the full responsibility of stopping as mandated by a stop sign. Preparing for a left turn is not relevant to the primary purpose of a stop sign, which is to compel a complete halt to assess the traffic situation. Therefore, the correct understanding of a stop sign reinforces the necessity of full compliance to ensure safe driving practices for all road users.