What should a driver do when approaching a stop sign?

When a driver approaches a stop sign, the appropriate action is to come to a complete stop and yield to any oncoming traffic or pedestrians. This rule is fundamental for ensuring safety at intersections. A stop sign indicates that vehicles must come to a full stop at the marked line, crosswalk, or intersection before proceeding. This allows the driver to scan the environment for other vehicles and pedestrians, ensuring it is safe to continue.

Yielding means giving the right of way to others who may already be in the intersection or about to cross. Failure to stop can lead to collisions and traffic violations. Therefore, stopping fully at a stop sign is critical for preventing accidents and maintaining orderly traffic flow.

The other options fail to prioritize safety and adherence to traffic laws. For instance, speeding up contravenes the purpose of the stop sign and increases the risk of accidents, and simply slowing down without a full stop could lead to failing to yield to others. Additionally, honking the horn is not a substitute for following traffic signs and should not be used as a method to alert others at a stop sign.