While reviewing driver's education information so that I can teach my daughter how to drive, I came across a chapter on turn signals. A whole chapter.

And I thought turn signals didn't get any respect.

Using turn signals is something drivers ought to be doing. How else can drivers behind, in front of and beside you know what else you're thinking if you don't use turn signals?

But like all things we ought to do, sometimes turn signals get pushed to the back of the priority list.

We get busy texting, or talking on the cell phone, or listening to the ball game, or eating and drinking, and you know how it is to use your turn signal while holding a hamburger and texting.

By preparing to teach my daughter how to drive, it is like taking a refresher course on just how big a weapon a 3,000 pound automobile can be if we don't do the things we ought to do.

I was trying to add up how many miles I've driven in my life, and I came to a guess of more than 700,000 miles. I wonder how many of them were while I was worried more about other things than driving a car?

While I can't take all those miles back, I can try and incorporate good driving habits into my daily life and become a better, safer driver.

I'll start with using turn signals. Maybe the life I save might be my own.