What does a yield sign indicate?

A yield sign indicates that drivers must slow down and prepare to stop if necessary to yield the right-of-way to other vehicles or pedestrians. This means that when you approach a yield sign, you should assess the traffic conditions and be ready to stop if there are other vehicles or individuals who have the right-of-way.

The purpose of a yield sign is to ensure that traffic flows smoothly and safely at intersections or areas where merging occurs, without requiring a full stop unless necessary. This is important for maintaining safety on the roads, as it helps prevent accidents by ensuring that drivers are attentive to their surroundings and responsive to the actions of other road users.

The other options do not accurately describe the meaning of a yield sign. Specifically, yielding does not entail speeding up when other vehicles are present or coming to a complete stop unless required. Additionally, the concept of only slowing down when pedestrians are present does not capture the broader requirement to yield to all vehicles as well. Thus, understanding the complete act of yielding enhances safe driving habits and compliance with traffic laws.