They may turn the wrong way searching for a sound. Children's sense of perception is different than that of adults. They may think large cars move more quickly than small cars, or narrow streets are less dangerous than wider ones. Young children can't pull together all the pieces of information they need to act appropriately in an emergency situation. Even if they have been taught the rules of the road, their brains can't process multiple pieces of information or a complex chain of events.
Children lack a sense of vulnerability.
They don't understand a car can seriously hurt or kill them if they collide. Children have trouble judging how fast a vehicle is coming towards them or just how far away a vehicle is. As a result, they may have trouble waiting for stoplights to change or for cars to stop at crosswalks before they step out onto the road. Although children may have been taught how to cross the street safely, they can be easily distracted and may respond impulsively. Children tend to focus only on the things that interest them most.