What actions should drivers take when encountering an intersection without signals?

When approaching an intersection without signals, the appropriate action is to exercise caution and yield to cross traffic. This approach prioritizes safety by allowing drivers to make informed decisions based on the presence of other vehicles and pedestrians. Yielding indicates an awareness of the right-of-way rules, which require that vehicles already in the intersection or close to it be given precedence. This action significantly reduces the risk of collisions and ensures that all road users can navigate through the intersection safely.

The other choices do not align with safe driving practices. Speeding up to clear the intersection quickly can increase the likelihood of accidents, as it disregards the need to assess the situation and the movements of other road users. Stopping completely may seem like a cautious approach, but without assessing the flow of traffic first, it could lead to unnecessary delays or confusion for other drivers. Calling dispatch for guidance is impractical in this scenario, as drivers must make real-time decisions based on the immediate environment rather than waiting for external instructions. Thus, yielding to cross traffic remains the best and safest response when faced with an unsignalized intersection.