People are constantly taking refresher courses to improve skills. Golfers and tennis player pay big money to professionals for lessons. Teachers, doctors, nurses and others take classes to maintain and improve their skills. The self-help industry is a billion dollar business.

But very few people make an active effort to improve their driving.

Just about everyone thinks they are an excellent driver. But if everyone is an excellent driver, then who are all of the people doing the stupid things on the roads?

Everyone could be a better driver. EVERYONE!!!  (Do you hear me, Cindy Campbell?)

Below is a list of some things to think about the next time you drive.

1. Pay Attention – This isn’t just a matter of not talking on the phone, or fiddling with the radio. It’s about concentration. When you’re driving, concentrate on driving. Most accidents result from the inattention of one or more drivers. Common distracters include eating, drinking, applying make-up, cell phones, reading, adjusting music, dealing with kids, or even just talking to passengers.

2. Yield – You know you have the right of way, and yet, the other driver is pushing ahead. Let them go. Yield it to them. Driving is not a matter of principle; it’s a matter of safety. Let them go. Karma will get them later.

3. Don’t Speed – Higher speeds result in less reaction time and a longer stopping distance. Accidents that occur at a higher speed are generally more serious and involve higher incidence personal injury.

4. Driving Impaired – This isn’t just about alcohol and drugs, which are clearly wrong and illegal when driving. You should also not drive when you are overly tired, sick, or injured in a way that could affect your driving skills and concentration.

5. Seat Belt – I’ve heard all of the arguments against wearing belts. None of them are good. You are safer wearing them, and if you think otherwise, you’re wrong. And, by the way, when you’re the driver, you’re in charge. Make everyone in your car wear their belts.

6. Sloppy Driving – Follow the rules of the road exactly. Always signal, turn into the correct lane, come to a full stop at stop signs, and stop at the correct location. Drivers need consistency to be able to predict what the other driver is doing.

7. Look Ahead – Most drivers focus their attention 5-8 seconds down the road. You should be aware of what’s happening 15-20 seconds ahead. This will give you more time to react and anticipate potential problems. It’s better to anticipate than to react.

8. Blind Spots – You should know the blind spots on your car and do everything you can to make sure you know what’s around you. Check your mirrors frequently, as often as every 5 seconds. And be aware when you are driving in the blind spot of other vehicles. Trucks and buses have much bigger blind spots than passenger cars do. When changing lanes, don’t rely solely on your mirrors. You must look over your shoulder briefly to see if the coast is clear. Many accidents occur because drivers don’t look when changing lanes.

9. Turn right and look right – Most people when they turn right face the oncoming traffic to the left. But many of the dangers from pedestrians and kids on bikes come from the right. I’m a runner, and I can’t tell you how often I’ve come close to being hit by someone driving into the intersection without looking in both directions. The same principle applies to driving on a highway ramp. If there is a car in front of you, make sure it has safely merged onto the highway before you go.

10. Rain and Snow – Slow down.  It’s doesn’t matter how great your car is, you can’t see as well, or stop as quickly when there’s precipitation. Are you paying attention SUV drivers?

11. Bikes – Share the road with bikes. They have the same right to be on the roads as cars do.

12. Space - Allow enough space between yourself and other vehicles. Admittedly, this is hard in Boston where rush hour traffic has you bumper to bumper with the next driver. But space is especially important when you are traveling at high speeds. It’s even more important when visibility is reduced (rain, snow or night).

13. Time - Leave with enough time to reach your destination. If you’re late, you are much more prone to driving aggressively.

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