The sign says “YIELD.”

Drivers should slow down and give the right-of-way to traffic or pedestrians on the intersecting road. Stop if necessary, and proceed only when it is safe.

The sign says "YIELD" — though it's worth noting it's a non-standard design: in the U.S., yield signs are normally inverted (downward-pointing) triangles, while the octagonal shape is reserved for stop signs. This appears to be a hybrid or unofficial sign.

What a driver should do when yielding:

• Slow down as they approach the intersection or roadway.
• Give the right-of-way to other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians.
• Be prepared to stop completely if traffic requires it.
• Proceed only when it's safe and won't interfere with other traffic.

Given the ambiguous shape, the safest interpretation is to follow the word itself: yield the right-of-way, and stop if there's any doubt about whether it's safe to proceed.

Yield Sign

This is a YIELD sign, one of the most common regulatory traffic signs in the United States and many other countries.

What It Means

The sign instructs drivers to:

• Slow down as they approach the intersection or merge area
• Give the right-of-way to other traffic already in or approaching the intersection
• Stop if necessary to avoid a collision with vehicles or pedestrians who have the right-of-way
• Proceed only when it's safe to do so

Key Points for Drivers

1. It's not a full stop like a stop sign — you only need to stop if traffic conditions require it.
2. Yield to pedestrians who are in or about to enter the crosswalk.
3. Yield to vehicles already on the road you're entering.
4. When merging onto a highway, yield to traffic already on that highway.
5. At a roundabout, yield to traffic already circulating.

Consequences of Ignoring It

Failing to yield can result in:

• Traffic citations and fines
• Points on your driving record
• Liability in the event of an accident
• Increased insurance premiums

The distinctive red octagonal shape (actually inverted for yield signs) and white border make it easily recognizable, even from a distance or in poor visibility conditions.