Let’s think about driving. Cars, of course, not golf balls.

When I was young, Driver’s Education was required by the state (Michigan) before you could get a learner’s permit which was required before you could get a license.

We saw movies with graphic crash scenes from drinking and driving. We learned many state laws. We practiced driving on a closed course. Parallel parking was a challenge. We drove a stick and an automatic. We learned about keeping safe distances and how much stopping distance was required at what speed with certain car weights.

I retain those lessons today, more than 50 years later. And I practice them.

It dismays me to see how most people on the road today are oblivious to how to drive. They don’t know how to merge; they don’t know how to manage a traffic circle; they don’t care that it is illegal to pass on the right; they run red lights, speed, pass school buses, and follow too close.

Worst of all, many people drive drunk and even more drive distracted. Texting while driving is illegal and extremely dangerous but I see it every single time I am out in my car. I see people eating, drinking, and even putting on makeup while driving. Every day, people die because someone doesn’t know how to drive (or knows but doesn’t care).

All that is no news to most of us. But there are other, less common, matters I will address just so we can think about it.

For example: when stopping at a red light, do you leave entrances to business and other roads clear for people who may be using them? Few people do this, but the common courtesy helps traffic move smoother and also is appreciated by others. And it costs not one second in driving time.

When a light is green but cars ahead of you are stopped and backed up to the intersection, do you stop at the light or proceed into the intersection in the hopes that the cars will move ahead of you before the light changes? The law requires the former, but most people pull into the intersection, sometimes resulting in traffic gridlock.

When you are on a four lane road and the light turns red ahead of you, do you move to the left lane in case cars behind you want to turn on the red light as allowed by law? Or do you just pull up into an open lane at the red light even if someone behind you wants to turn? This is a simple courtesy and not required by law, but I always look and, if I can, allow cars behind me to take the right lane to turn.

When traffic lights are out completely or blinking red or yellow, did you know you are supposed to treat the intersection like a four-way stop? Cars alternately go through the intersection with the car on the right having the right-of-way. Let that car go, then the one on its right, then the one on the next right, etc. Everyone needs to stop. I almost never see this. Cars just go through on the bumper of the car ahead of them.

Do you use your turn signal when changing lanes or making a turn? It seems like that is the second most ignored law about driving. The first is the speed limit.

Speed LIMIT, not “suggested speed” or “minimum speed.” I have cruise control and use it whenever prudent. I usually pass no one but trucks on steep hills when I do, though. Everyone passes me.

So here we are. Do you think when you drive or fall into “automatic pilot” and habits obtained long ago? Thinking about “the other guy” is more than just a courtesy. It can make driving a little less stressful and a lot safer.

Thanks for reading.