The Lutzie 43 Foundation spoke to KSU students in the Convocation Center on Wednesday, March 20, about spreading awareness of distracted driving to prevent fatal accidents.
The Lutzie 43 Foundation was created in 2014 to honor the life and preserve the legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen, who was a student-athlete at Lassiter High School as well as a successful football player at Auburn University. Philip Lutzenkirchen was involved in a single-car crash that took his life due to alcohol consumption and lack of a seatbelt, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Executive Director Mike Lutzenkirchen, father of Philip Lutzenkirchen, travels to schools and events in the southeast to spread awareness and prevent distracted driving.
The speech was based around the foundation’s “43 Key Seconds” initiative, according to the Lutzie 43 Foundation website. The initiative is a series of steps that are to be taken every time when behind the wheel, according to the website.
First, the individual takes 43 seconds to clear their head, ensuring that their mind is not affected by alcohol, drugs, emotion or fatigue. Next, the driver clears their hands, which means putting away their phones and adjusting the radio before driving. The third step is to have clear eyes by avoiding distractions. Finally, the driver can put on their seatbelt.
“43 Key Seconds is a chance for us to change the narrative on impaired, distracted and safe driving,” Mike Lutzenkirchen said. “The reality is, the number one thing killing our teens doesn’t have a recognized symbol that somebody looks at and says to themselves, ‘I’m not going to be a distracted driver. I’m not going to be an impaired driver. I’m going to be a safe driver.’ We believe our key will become a nationally recognized symbol for distracted driving.”
According to the website, the foundation sells a pendant in the shape of a key with “43 Key Seconds” written on it to serve as a symbol and a reminder to drive without distractions. The foundation has distributed over 2,800 keys to over 168,000 students who have heard Mike Lutzenkirchen speak.
The Lutzie 43 Foundation also has the Prepared for Life Character Scholarship that awards students who promote safe driving in their communities.
The foundation also hosts field days for elementary-aged special needs children and two major fundraising events that consist of an invitational golf tournament and Road Race at Lassiter high school in Marietta.
According to the foundation’s biography page, Lutzie 43’s objective is to inspire young people to make better decisions as drivers and friends using Philip’s life and legacy to inspire change.
