Without a second thought, many today do a juggling act while driving; either gabbing on a cell phone when hitting the road, eating a meal; applying makeup; tinkering with an iPod ... the list goes on.

There's a world of distractions for drivers out there and each one is a sad reminder to the Dixit family of who they have lost. Shreya Dixit, a college student from Eden Prairie, was killed in November 2007 while a passenger on a trip back from her university. The driver of her vehicle was momentarily distracted, in this case searching for a napkin, and lost control of the vehicle.

Since then, the Dixits have been determined to raise awareness about the dangers posed by being distracted while driving. Through the Shreya R. Dixit Memorial Foundation, they and friends held the first “Raksha Walk” last year, an event that returns Aug. 1. The Raksha Walk, which starts at 9 a.m. at Purgatory Creek Park, includes a 5K walk; a vigil in which participants can pledge for distraction free driving and the presentation of the Shreya R. Dixit Memorial Scholarship awards.

Though still hurting from the loss of Shreya, the Dixit family has channeled their focus into the foundation, and spreading the message of the dangers of driving while distracted.
“We will continue to do this,” said Vijay Dixit, Shreya’s father, “What we see in the foundation is Shreya.”

Just as they dreamed to see Shreya grow and prosper, the Dixits now hope for their message and foundation to grow and save lives.
The Foundation’s Web site features a short documentary about their story, where Shreya’s friends, parents (Vijay and Rekha) and sister Nayha all talk about the devastating impact the loss has had on their lives.

Mounting evidence points to the risk of driver distraction. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that driver distraction contributes to 25 percent of all traffic crashes. Other studies show an even greater connection to distractions and accidents. According to a document from the NHTSA a 2006 study that monitored 100 drivers for a year found that “nearly 80 percent of the 72 recorded crashes and 65 percent of the 761 near-crashes involved driver inattention just prior to the incident.”
The prevalence of cell phones and texting adds another layer to the issue.

“I think there are more distractions,” noted Eden Prairie Police Chief Rob Reynolds, who serves on the advisory board for the Shreya R. Dixit Memorial Foundation.

The type of conversation can very much play a factor in the level of distraction.

Just the other week, Reynolds recalled seeing a driver on Scenic Heights Road who was very animated.

The person was talking on the cell phone, holding the phone on one hand and gesturing with another (leaving no hands on the wheel).
“That’s the type of a conversation that was probably not appropriate to have while you’re driving,” noted Reynolds.
Vijay notices even worse examples on the road. Any distraction is a problem, he noted.

He’s seen girls applying makeup to eyelashes while driving. Two weeks ago, he saw a woman lighting a cigarette with both hands off the wheel, while driving. The other day, he saw a young man with his left foot on the dashboard touching the windshield and cell phone in hand. The man was leaning back while talking on Interstate 35W.

“You do need a constant reminder that you have to really pay attention while you’re driving. Now it’s one of the things they do in the Raksha walk,” said Reynolds.

At the end of the walk, participants receive a small band to wrap around their wrist and are encouraged to keep that band somewhere in their car, so everytime they see it, it is a reminder to pay attention to driving, added Reynolds.

According to the Foundation Web Site, Raksha Bandhan is a promise to protect:

“It is a festival that commemorates a centuries-old tradition in which a sister ties a ceremonial band on her brother’s wrist and prays for his protection and safety. The brother reciprocates with a pledge to be there for her whenever she needs him. A simple band therefore binds brothers and sisters in an inseparable bond. After the walk, we will all have the chance to tie our own ceremonial band on those around us with a promise to protect each other by keeping our eyes and mind on the road while driving.”

When it comes to anything you do while driving, whether it be grabbing some food or a cell phone, the key is to take a moment to find a spot to pull over or just wait until you get to your destination.

“Fifteen seconds of delay will not kill you, but 15 seconds of distraction will kill you,” said Vijay.