What should you do immediately if you see a child about to run into the street?

When you see a child about to run into the street, the safest and most proactive response is to brake and sound your horn to alert them. This action serves two main purposes. First, braking will reduce your vehicle's speed, giving you more time to react and potentially prevent a collision. Second, sounding the horn helps attract the child's attention, which might stop them from proceeding into danger.

This response takes into account the unpredictability of children's behavior—they may not be aware of the traffic hazards around them. By combining a visual alert (your braking action) with an auditory alert (the horn), you enhance the chances that the child will notice the threat and refrain from running into the street.

Other approaches may pose additional risks. For instance, revving the engine may not be an effective way to communicate danger to a child, as it might confuse or frighten them rather than alert them. Simply increasing your speed could lead to a perilous situation if the child does not recognize the risk and steps onto the street. Driving around them might not be safe either, as it can create an unpredictable environment and could still result in an accident if the child decides to move at that moment.