Sponsored by Bulldog Kia, the Summit brings law enforcement, first responders and commercial truck drivers to campus to emphasize the repercussions of distracted, impaired and unsafe driving

ATLANTA, Sept. 14, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lutzie 43 Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to ending distracted, impaired and unsafe driving, will present a Safe Driving Summit at Habersham Central High School on Tuesday, September 22. The Summit, sponsored by Bulldog Kia, seeks to curb roadway incidents by educating high school students about the dangers of distracted, impaired and unsafe driving, and providing them with tools to make better decisions behind the wheel and in the car. Since 2022, Lutzie 43 has presented 40+ Safe Driving Summits, reaching tens of thousands of students across the Southeast, and is proud to bring one to Habersham County students.

The Safe Driving Summit begins with a keynote address from Executive Director Mike Lutzenkirchen who shares the story of his son, former Auburn University football standout Philip Lutzenkirchen, who tragically lost his life in a single-vehicle crash caused by distracted, impaired and unsafe driving, and is followed by a series of breakout sessions led by first responders, trauma care and rehab specialists, law enforcement officials and trucking industry professionals.

"Educating and reinforcing safe driving behaviors is one of the fastest and most effective ways to improve road safety, and students new to driving are the perfect audience to adopt the 43 Key Seconds safe driving initiative," says Mike Lutzenkirchen. "Hearing Philip's story, then learning what happens during and after a crash from our law enforcement, trucking and healthcare partners, provides them an eye-opening experience."

During the Safe Driving Summit, students will learn what happens after a crash: at the scene from first responders representing the Georgia Department of Public Safety Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (Georgia CVE), Habersham County Sherrif's Office and Mt. Airy Police Department, in the trauma bay with specialists from Northeast Georgia Health System and Wellstar Trauma Network and during recovery with rehabilitation providers from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Students will also step inside an 80,000-pound tractor trailer to experience a truck driver's perspective. Presented by FedEx Freight, Walmart and Georgia CVE, this session gives them a firsthand look at blind spots, stopping distances and the challenges that professional drivers face.

The Lutzenkirchen family created the Lutzie 43 Foundation and its 43 Key Seconds safe driving initiative to carry on Philip's legacy. In memory of Philip's #43 football jersey at Auburn, the initiative asks drivers and passengers to take 43 Key Seconds to prepare before every drive by having a:

• Clear Head: Ensure you have a clear head — one that is not affected by alcohol, drugs, emotions or fatigue.
• Clear Hands: Ensure you have clear hands — send a text, adjust the radio and put all devices away so you can drive hands-free.
• Clear Eyes: Set your sights on the road ahead. Do not look to the side at a passenger or at your phone.
• Click It: Finally, click your seatbelt. It's the law and could save your life!

"The Safe Driving Summit will provide our students with inspiration and education: inspiration to conduct themselves appropriately as passengers and as drivers and education on how to do so," says Dr. Adam Bagwell, Principal of Habersham Central High School. "I am confident that our students will benefit from this event and will be safer on our roadways because of having attended the Safe Driving Summit."

The Safe Driving Summit will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, at Habersham Central High School, 2059 St. Hwy 197 S., Mount Airy, GA 30563.

ABOUT THE LUTZIE 43 FOUNDATION:

The Lutzie 43 Foundation's mission is to educate and reinforce safe driving behaviors. The Lutzie 43 Foundation was established in loving memory of former Auburn football player Philip Lutzenkirchen, shortly after he lost his life in a car accident in 2014. In his memory, the foundation's 43 Key Seconds safe driving initiative aims to create the first nationally recognized symbol for distracted, impaired and unsafe driving awareness and prevention. The foundation's motto for all is to "Live like Lutz, Love like Lutz and Learn from Lutz," reflecting its desire to help others live out the many positive character attributes that Philip displayed while learning from the circumstances that led to his death. For more information, visit www.lutzie43.org.

ABOUT HABERSHAM CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Habersham Central High School is a school focused on equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to be responsible, productive members of their communities. Administrators support and teachers employ diverse methods to help students reach their fullest potential to become well-rounded citizens of character. More information can be found online at https://hchs.habershamschools.com/.

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SOURCE Lutzie 43 Foundation