Final answer:
To avoid conflicts in heavy urban traffic, focus on the surrounding vehicles, pedestrians, and traffic signals, reacting promptly to changes. Though commuting can become routine, vigilance is essential in busy city traffic to ensure safety and cope with traffic congestion and pollution.
Step-by-step explanation:
You can avoid conflicts while driving in heavy urban traffic by focusing your attention on the immediate and relevant stimuli—namely, the other vehicles, pedestrians, and traffic signals around you. Doing so will enable you to react to changing conditions promptly and safely. When you are in a routine, it is easy to slip into 'autopilot mode,' especially during tasks such as commuting to work or school. Unlike less demanding environments, urban traffic requires constant vigilance to manage the traffic congestion and the potential for unpredictable occurrences.
Living in busy areas like Washington, D.C. or Delhi, where traffic congestion is a major problem, employing mindfulness and staying alert can exponentially increase your chances of a safe commute. The cognitive effort of actively observing your surroundings is crucial to avoid traffic conflicts, instead of allowing the monotony of the commute to dull your senses. Regular exposure to various driving situations will help you to develop automatic reactions to some extent, but one should always be prepared to disengage from 'autopilot' and take control when necessary. Traffic congestion not only contributes to delays but also increases pollution levels, making it essential for drivers to stay attentive and drive efficiently.