What should you do when approaching a traffic circle?

When approaching a traffic circle, yielding the right-of-way to vehicles already in the circle is crucial for both safety and the smooth flow of traffic. This is because the vehicles within the circle are already navigating through it, and merging into this moving traffic without yielding can lead to collisions.

Yielding allows you to assess the flow of traffic and create a safe gap for you to enter the circle when it is clear. Traffic circles are designed to enhance safety and efficiency by reducing the number of conflict points compared to traditional intersections, so adhering to the right-of-way rules is essential to maintain this safety.

The other options do not appropriately address the necessary actions at a traffic circle. Speeding up to merge conflicts with safe driving practices; waiting for a green light is not applicable, as traffic circles typically do not have traffic signals; and stopping only for pedestrians overlooks the importance of yielding to the existing traffic within the circle.