What must all drivers do when they see a STOP sign?

When drivers encounter a STOP sign, they are required to come to a complete stop before entering the intersection. This is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance with traffic regulations. Coming to a full stop allows drivers to assess the situation, checking for other vehicles, pedestrians, or any potential hazards before proceeding.

Although slowing down and proceeding carefully might seem prudent, it does not fulfill the legal requirement to stop at a STOP sign. Similarly, pausing for a specific duration, such as three seconds, is not mandated by law; the requirement is simply to stop completely. Yielding to vehicles on the left is not applicable at a STOP sign, as the primary rule is that all drivers must stop and yield to any cross traffic or pedestrians present at the intersection. Therefore, the proper action when seeing a STOP sign is to come to a complete stop before continuing.