To think that if you see a small child waiting to cross a road, your instinct should be to slow down

[CruCru]

Not put your foot down? I was waiting to cross the road with DS (3 years old) on a quiet, L shaped street. I think if I were driving, I would slow down a bit in case the child bolted (I was holding his hand) but this guy accelerated (he was definitely doing more than the 20 speed limit but that's possibly another thread).

I am not a driver but my mum ALWAYS slows down. Even when she sees teenagers. She's terrified of hitting one...and teens always seem to be jostling one another.

Well he shouldn't be going over the speed limit either way.

I think I would slow down if I saw a child on their own, but not if they were holding an adult's hand necessarily.

I think he was more worried that we would try to cross in front of him and therefore get in his way.

This is a difficult one as I often stop to let kids cross then think that's not teaching them to be responsible for themselves. But in answer, he shouldn't have adjusted his speed.

As a driver, I would neither speed up or slow down. Otherwise, where do you draw the line? Do you slow down in case that little old lady over there accidentally falls over and into the road? Or maybe that man might have a heart attack.

You cannot - and should not - drive to accommodate something that hasn't happened. You can of course abide by speed limits, traffic lights etc, and keep an eye open for potential hazards, but a person holding onto a small child waiting to cross is not a potential hazard. Small child on scooter with no guiding hand would be though.

I agree with twitter

If I adjusted my speed every time I saw a kid then I'd never get anywhere.

Child on their own yes (although three I'd probably stop to see where an adult was) with an adult no I'd carry on

Yes, it's part of driving to slow / anticipate hazards. It's also part of driving to know the Highway Code but I've noticed that appears to be considered 'merely guidelines' by most drivers.
(I am looking at you woman in my street who gets angry/ sweary at having to stop when you're making the tricky corner to stop for people / bikes/ ponies ALREADY in the road. When they started crossing you were a good street or 2 away).