Mount Airy, GA – September 17, 2026 -- The Lutzie 43 Foundation will hold a Safe Driving Summit at Habersham Central High School on Tuesday, September 22, running from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 2059 St. Hwy 197 S. in Mount Airy, GA. Sponsored by Bulldog Kia, the event targets distracted, impaired and unsafe driving among high school students.
Mike Lutzenkirchen opens with his son's story
Executive Director Mike Lutzenkirchen will deliver the keynote, recounting the death of his son Philip Lutzenkirchen, a former Auburn University football standout killed in a single-vehicle crash in 2014. Lutzenkirchen said the goal is to have students adopt the foundation's '43 Key Seconds' safe driving routine, calling the combination of Philip's story and firsthand accounts from law enforcement, trucking and healthcare partners 'an eye-opening experience.'
Students will experience a crash's full aftermath, from scene to recovery
Breakout sessions will walk students through what happens after a crash: first responders from the Georgia Department of Public Safety Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Habersham County Sheriff's Office and Mt. Airy Police Department will cover the scene; trauma specialists from Northeast Georgia Health System and Wellstar Trauma Network will address emergency care; and rehabilitation providers from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta will discuss recovery.
Students will sit inside an 80,000-pound tractor trailer
A session presented by FedEx Freight, Walmart and Georgia CVE will let students experience a truck driver's perspective, including blind spots and stopping distances.
The '43 Key Seconds' routine has four steps
Named for Philip's Auburn jersey number, the initiative asks drivers to ensure a clear head (free of alcohol, drugs, emotions or fatigue), clear hands (devices put away), clear eyes (focused on the road) and to click a seatbelt before driving.
The foundation has reached tens of thousands of students since 2022
Since 2022, Lutzie 43 has presented more than 40 Safe Driving Summits across the Southeast. Habersham Central Principal Dr. Adam Bagwell said he expects students to be safer on roadways after attending the event.