Final answer:
The correct action when seeing children playing near the street is to slow down and be prepared to stop, as this allows more time to react to unpredictable movements and enhances the safety of both pedestrians and drivers.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you see children playing near the street, the safest action to take is to slow down and be prepared to stop. Children can be unpredictable, and slowing down gives you more time to react if a child accidentally enters the street. This is similar to other situations on the road where there may be potential hazards or distractions, such as a woman pushing a baby stroller, an animal running out into the street, or cars honking at an intersection; they all require drivers to be extra vigilant. Moreover, understanding that traffic signals are put in place to make vehicles slow down for safety, it's clear that personal vigilance is also necessary, especially in areas with pedestrian activity.
For example, if a truck is traveling at a constant velocity and sees a child on the road, the driver's prompt reaction to hit the brakes can prevent an accident. Safety on the road is paramount, and it's everyone's responsibility to ensure that measures are taken to avoid accidents and protect pedestrians. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is to slow down and be prepared to stop (option c).