An accident at an intersection on Interstate 95 (I-95) near Boulder City led to a loss of life. Sarah Huravitch was a passenger in a car when an SUV failed to stop at a stop sign and slammed into her car. She suffered blunt-force trauma and died, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Two 8-year-old girls were also injured.

My deepest condolences go out to the Huravitch family. This was a senseless tragedy and I hope police hold the at-fault driver accountable.

This accident highlights the serious risks of failing to properly obey stop signs at intersections. So many people disregard stop signs or simply “pause” rather than making a complete stop. Some believe this will save them time allowing a quicker arrival to their destination. But you have to ask yourself – is that two or three seconds you save worth the potential trauma and life-altering consequences of breaking the law and running a stop sign? The answer is no.

Intersection accidents account for almost half (48 percent to be exact) of the car accident injuries in this country and lead to $101 billion of societal costs each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. What’s so troubling is the fact that a vast majority of these car wrecks are preventable. All it takes is a little patience and responsible driving practices.

Follow the basics – come to a complete stop at a stop sign, look both ways at an intersection, yield to pedestrians, and obey the speed limit.