Alberta Written Drivers Learners Test Practice

What should you do if a child runs onto the road?

1. Honk the horn to alert them

2. Accelerate to avoid them

3. Brake immediately and be prepared to stop

4. Steer into the opposite lane

The correct answer is: Brake immediately and be prepared to stop

When encountering a situation where a child runs onto the road, the safest and most responsible action is to brake immediately and be prepared to stop. Children may not have a complete understanding of the dangers of traffic and can act unpredictably. Therefore, slowing down allows for a better reaction time to assess the situation and take further action if needed. By braking, you significantly reduce the risk of an accident, giving you the opportunity to observe the child's behavior and the surrounding environment. This approach maximizes safety, as it prepares you to stop if necessary and can prevent harm to the child. Honk the horn, accelerate, or steer into the opposite lane are strategies that could lead to dangerous outcomes. Honking may startle the child, potentially causing them to move unpredictably. Accelerating risks causing a collision, while steering into the opposite lane can create a hazardous situation for other road users, including oncoming traffic. Thus, braking and being prepared to stop is the most appropriate response in this scenario.