How do I deal with slow, hesitant drivers at a stop sign?

Most of the time, a slow or hesitant driver isn't doing it to annoy anyone — they're unsure. New driver, unfamiliar intersection, bad visibility, or just distracted for a second. Assuming malice is what turns a two-second delay into road rage. 1. Give real following distance. Riding someone's bumper makes a hesitant driver more nervous and more likely to freeze, not less. 2. Skip the horn unless it's an actual safety issue. A quick tap can startle someone into a bad decision right at an intersection — save it for when someone's about to pull into traffic, not just for being slow. 3. Pass only when it's clearly safe and legal — don't force your way around someone at a stop sign. 4. If it's the same intersection every time, the problem might be the intersection itself — bad sightlines or confusing signage — not the drivers. That's worth reporting to your local traffic department; it's a fixable infrastructure issue, not a people problem. And for your own sake: a few extra seconds at a stop sign is rarely worth the stress it costs you. Treat it as a built-in pause in the day, not an obstacle.