The weeks between Thanksgiving and the New Year move by in a blur, and so do the vehicles on the road. Last-minute shopping, finishing projects for work before vacation, rushing to holiday events — people are distracted and in a hurry. This time of year is notorious for traffic and parking lot accidents, as well as drunk driving.

Motor vehicle accidents continue to rank in the top three safety incidents among city employees. Whether you are driving a city vehicle or your personal car, you have a responsibility to drive responsibly and practice defensive driving:
 

• Watch for pedestrians, especially around shopping centers and in parking lots. 

• Drive slowly in parking lots and garages. 

• Yield to pedestrians and share the road with cyclists. 

• Maintain a safe following distance to avoid rear collisions.

• Do not use your cell phone (talk or text) while driving. 

• Use backup cameras and mirrors while driving and pulling out of parking spaces.

• Consider backing in to parking spaces.

• Check your blind spots.

• Do not drink and drive.
   

Remember: Zero is possible: Zero Accidents. Zero Injuries. Zero Compromises.