What does the term "yield" mean when seen on a traffic sign?

The term "yield" when seen on a traffic sign is an instruction to drivers indicating that they must give the right-of-way to other vehicles or pedestrians. This means that if you encounter a yield sign, you are required to slow down, prepare to stop, and let any oncoming traffic or pedestrians safely pass before proceeding. Yielding is critical for ensuring safety on the roads, as it helps prevent collisions by facilitating orderly traffic flow at intersections and merging zones.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent what "yield" means in traffic law. Stopping indefinitely is not required; rather, you are only to stop if necessary to allow other traffic or pedestrians to go first. Continuing to drive at the same speed would contradict the requirement of yielding, as it could lead to dangerous situations where a driver does not give way to those who have the right-of-way. Changing lanes immediately would also be inappropriate in this context, as yielding often involves assessing the road conditions and traffic before making a safe decision.