What should a driver do when approaching a yield sign?

When approaching a yield sign, the appropriate action is to slow down and yield to any oncoming vehicles or pedestrians. This means that the driver must be prepared to stop if there is traffic or pedestrians in the intersection or merging lane. The purpose of a yield sign is to indicate that the driver must give right-of-way to others, ensuring safe merging and intersection crossing.

Yielding helps prevent accidents by ensuring that drivers are aware of and responsive to the presence of other road users. This practice promotes defensive driving, where the focus is on anticipating the actions of others and responding accordingly. It is essential for maintaining safe driving conditions, especially in areas with heavy traffic or pedestrian activity.

Other options suggest behaviors that could lead to dangerous situations. For example, speeding up to beat oncoming traffic could result in collisions, while coming to a complete stop regardless of traffic conditions may not always be necessary and could frustrate other drivers. Ignoring the yield sign when no traffic is present diminishes the driver’s awareness and cautiousness, which are key aspects of safe driving practices.