When approaching a stop sign, what is the first action you should take?

The best first action when approaching a stop sign is to come to a complete stop. This is crucial because the primary purpose of a stop sign is to ensure that drivers halt their vehicle at the intersection to assess the surrounding environment for any potential hazards before proceeding. Coming to a complete stop allows you to observe the traffic conditions and ensures you’re respecting the rules of the road.

While slowing down, looking for pedestrians, and yielding to oncoming traffic are all important actions in the context of safe driving, they should be considered tasks that follow the initial requirement to stop. If a driver does not stop, they may miss pedestrians or other vehicles that may be present, leading to dangerous situations. Therefore, the complete stop is the foundational first step in navigating intersections safely where stop signs are present.