Friday is the traditional kickoff to the holiday buying season, so it might be a good idea to have a practical guide to Black Friday handy. Here is travel, safety and weather information for the buying binge day:

Road rules

• In Roseville, Galleria Boulevard around the shopping mall gets very congested this time of year. Traffic signal technicians will be monitoring traffic volumes on Black Friday and throughout the holiday shopping season, said Dee Dee Gunther, Roseville police spokeswoman. Signal timing will be adjusted to prevent traffic from backing up onto Highway 65.

Tip: Gunther recommends that motorists heading to Galleria Mall on Highway 65 take the Pleasant Grove exit, just north of the Galleria, instead of the Galleria exit. Then travel on Roseville Parkway to the west entrance of the mall.

• In downtown Sacramento, the city is luring shoppers by relaxing some parking rules. Streetside meters will go unread weeknights and weekends.

The free parking begins on Black Friday and continues through Christmas Day.

The city's Department of Transportation reports that free on-street parking begins at 4:30 p.m. weekdays and is in effect all day Saturdays and Sundays, between I and L streets and Front and 29th streets in metered on-street parking spaces only.

Tip: This year, the free street parking includes Old Sacramento.

• On busy Arden Way, the big problem in the past has been motorists who try to turn into parking lots but can't enter due to jammed entrances. Cars are caught in the intersection, blocking traffic on Arden.

This year, Arden Fair security chief Steve Reed said signs have been posted warning that the fine for such obstruction of traffic has gone up to a hefty $256.

Reed, a former Sacramento police officer, has worked with city traffic engineers and police to alleviate the logjam by adjusting traffic signals.

Tip: Shoppers are encouraged to take a free shuttle from free parking in Lot D at Cal Expo. Buses will run every 10 to 15 minutes with Christmas music playing.

Signs will direct motorists to Lot D. Get shuttle details here.

Security

Roseville police and Arden Fair security experts provide these Top 10 shopping safety tips:

1. Park in well-lighted, heavily traveled areas.

2. Roll up all windows and lock your car. Do not leave gifts in sight. Thieves are targeting portable GPS units right now.

3. Be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity such as people peering into cars.

4. Women need to keep purses closed and close to the body. Men should carry their wallets in a front pocket.

5. Leave expensive jewelry at home and don't carry a lot of cash.

6. Arden Fair's Reed says shoppers leave packages at a table in the food court when they go to pick up food. That's a no-no.

7. Have keys in hand when approaching your vehicle.

8. Use ATMs inside the mall.

9. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.

10. If shopping with children, make sure they know they can ask mall personnel or store security for help in case you get separated.

Weather

The National Weather Service is predicting perfect daytime shopping weather for Friday: Mostly sunny skies with a high near 62 degrees. But for those heading to the malls early, dress warmly: The low about 5 a.m. will be a chilly 45 degrees.

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Call The Bee's Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079.