What should a driver do when this road sign is placed in front of an intersection?

Explanation

He must stop completely before the sign and then give way to vehicles on the crossing road.

The red octagonal sign reading "ԿԱՆԳ / STOP" is the only sign that makes a complete stop compulsory; not slowing down, not "look and go". The vehicle must come to a full standstill — at the stop line, and if no stop line is marked, before the sign and at the edge of the crossing road's carriageway — and then you must give way to any vehicle travelling on the crossing road and move off only when your entry forces no driver to brake or change course.

The key point is that this requirement is not conditional on traffic being present: even if the crossing road is completely empty, you must still stop. There are two reasons. First, a complete stop guarantees that you actually look; a driver creeping forward has in practice no chance of seeing a fast car or a motorcycle. Second, this sign is usually posted where visibility is restricted and the only correct place to look from is that very edge of the crossing carriageway.

The common trap is confusing this sign with the inverted "give way" triangle. That sign only requires you to give way, and if the road is clear you may proceed without stopping; but stopping at a STOP sign is unconditional. The unique octagonal shape was chosen for the same reason: even when snow or mud covers the sign and the lettering cannot be read, it is recognised by its shape.

• "Proceed observing safety" reduces the STOP sign to a piece of advice; this sign is a precise, verifiable duty, not a general invitation to be careful. • Giving way is necessary but not sufficient. This sentence is exactly the meaning of the "give way" sign and omits what distinguishes the STOP sign — the complete halt.

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