What action should you take when approaching a school zone with children present?

When approaching a school zone with children present, reducing your speed and being vigilant is essential for ensuring the safety of young pedestrians. School zones are often marked with signs indicating reduced speed limits, which are designed to protect children who may be crossing the street or walking near the road.

At lower speeds, drivers have more time to react to unexpected movements by pedestrians, such as children suddenly stepping onto the road. Being vigilant means remaining alert for various situations that could arise, such as children darting out from between parked cars or inattention from drivers and pedestrians alike. This approach fosters a safer environment for everyone.

Driving at normal speed or speeding up to pass quickly can significantly increase the risk of accidents, especially in areas where children are likely to be present. Sounding the horn could create confusion or panic among children and is generally not an appropriate action in a school zone. Therefore, reducing speed and maintaining vigilance is the most responsible action a driver can take in this situation.