The holidays are officially here and so are the traffic-clogged roads. Cities are particularly congested this time of year with people dashing off to office parties, get-togethers with friends, holiday shows and recitals, and downtown shops and festivities. These crowded conditions create multiple hazards for professional drivers.

INTERSECTIONS

When it comes to city driving, the majority of accidents occur at intersections. Vehicles are in conflict with each other when crossing or turning in traffic, and drivers also have to contend with pedestrian and cyclist activity when maneuvering through intersections. Here are some tips to consider:

• When approaching an intersection, scan left, right and left again, as far as you can see to spot hazards early.

• Move your foot off the accelerator and cover the brake to save time in case of trouble.

• Stay in your lane as you proceed.

• Reduce speed and anticipate sudden movements.

TURNING

Turning increases conflicts, so positioning your vehicle properly is critical. Here are some pointers:

• When turning right, position your vehicle no more than four feet from the curb or row of parked cars to your right. Signal early; cut the wheel as your shoulder reaches the corner; and keep your eyes moving, to the right, to the left, and ahead. Use your mirrors for extra help. Avoid using a buttonhook turn in which you swing wide to left to turn right. This creates the potential for a crash.

• When turning left, signal well in advance; scan left, right and left again; and have patience, especially when crossing in front of oncoming traffic. Yield the right of way to pedestrians and execute your turn. Laws regarding which lanes you can turn left into when there is only one left turn lane (or no separate left turn lane) vary from state to state. If more than one turning lane exists, turn into the lane which corresponds to the lane from which you are turning, being careful not to drift into the other left turn lane.

PEDESTRIANS

The holidays bring crowds of pedestrians who seem to consider the streets an extension of the sidewalks. Practice patience and good judgment when pedestrians are present, including:

• Slow down, watch carefully, and be prepared to stop.

• Search between cars at corners, and be especially mindful of young children.

• Stay alert for drivers and passengers about to exit their parked vehicles. Give extra clearance so if they open that door at the worst possible moment you can still avoid them.

City driving during the holiday season can be especially challenging. With so many motorists distracted by holiday activities this time of year, it’s up to professionals like you to be attentive to the driving tasks at hand. Buckle up, slow down, keep your eyes moving, and give yourself an extra cushion of space in order to react to the traffic around you. Pre-plan your route, allow extra time to reach your destination, and avoid peak traffic periods whenever possible, to eliminate unnecessary delays and frustration.