[emodendroket]

OK, obviously that's true. But if it's empty, you have good visibility, and you plainly have the right of way, well, I'm just going to take it on faith that nobody is hurtling down the road at 80 mph. You can't possibly account for everything; that's the risk of driving.

[shkkmo]

Or you could, stop, check the intersection and proceed safely like you are legally required to do.

[emodendroket]

And that would foreclose the possibility of someone racing down the perpendicular street and ignoring the stop sign?

[diab0lic]

No, but it would increase the chance of you noticing that person and taking corrective action.