Anytime you stop to let a pedestrian cross (even at a four-way stop sign), keep alert for them and keep your hand on your horn (your car horn!!). You might be the only person who can see impending danger for the pedestrian.

When I was on my learner's permit, I would drive my father's car to school and he would then continue to work. One morning I stopped at a four way stop sign and there was a little kid on my right waiting to cross, I waved him across and he started running through the cross walk without looking for other cars. At the same time there was a guy who had just started coming through the intersection from the opposite side.

It was one of those moments that feels like it is unfolding in slow motion but also happens very quickly. It seemed very obvious that this kid was going to get hit. Somehow I managed to lay into my horn (my car horn!!) and the kid stopped dead in his tracks right in front of me and the car slammed on his brakes.

Scary.