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Driving up Stockdale Highway on my way to CSU Bakersfield, I’ve encountered many inexperienced drivers and almost being hit on multiple occasions. It seems every time this occurs it’s due to the drivers not complying with simple rules of the road.

Proper driving etiquette most would believe is common knowledge, though it seems that more and more people in motorized vehicles do not know how to regulate themselves on roadways.

Correct use of turning signals is one responsibility that all cars on the road have; yet, they are not being utilized at all times.

While it is a small flick of a switch, having proper use of it can prevent accidents and save lives in the process.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that the number of motor vehicle crash fatalities on United States roads was 32,675 in 2014.

While not all these fatalities are from improper use of turn signals, these numbers can be dropped if more drivers would practice safe and proper driving etiquette.

It may be assumed that this use of tools in cars may be common knowledge, but maybe drivers need to be educated and tested more thoroughly before they risk their lives and of those they share the road with?

California Department of Motor Vehicles allows a 39 out of 46 questions, an 85 percent passing grade on the written exam. As a student, when I receive anything lower than a 95 percent grade I feel as though I haven’t properly learned enough information to go forward.

Is an 85 percent passing grade of only 46 questions enough to cover the many incidents that can happen on the road? I propose a more extensive exam with a higher passing grade.

A more extensive exam would cover more information that drivers would need to know, while having a higher passing grade would create a higher percentage of drivers with that knowledge.