When I learned to drive the only advise my mom gave was. “If you see a ball then slam on the break”

I was told this for months.

Few years later Driving down a road that had endless cars parked along sides. So no visibility of yards.

A small ball came from behind a parked car and bounced in front of me. All I heard was my moms voice. Instantly slammed on brakes.

Sure enough a kid ran out in front of me chasing the ball.

Car stopped inches from kid. He never even noticed me. Even a moments hesitation and that kid would have been dead.

I was going a little below speed limit too, which clearly helped.