Lutzie 43 Foundation Prepares Students at Banks County High School to Be Better Drivers and Passengers with Safe Driving Summit

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. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lutzie 43 Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to ending distracted, impaired and unsafe driving, will present a Safe Driving Summit at Banks County High School on Thursday, September 17. The Summit 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 Banks 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), Banks County Sherrif's Office, together with Banks County Fire & EMS and AirLife EMS. In the trauma bay, students learn what happens when drivers or passengers are injured with specialists from Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Piedmont Athens Regional and Wellstar Health System, 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!

"We are extremely excited to partner with the Lutzie 43 Foundation to bring safe driving awareness and applicable skills to the students," says Will Foster, Principal of Banks County High School. "We at Banks County High School care deeply about our students' safety on the roadways. We strive to be intentional with every moment we spend with our students, and I know the Lutzie 43 team takes this same approach when presenting to young people about safe driving and the repercussions of irresponsible behavior behind the wheel of a vehicle."

The Safe Driving Summit will take place from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, at Banks County High School, 1486 Historic Homer Hwy., Homer, GA 30547.

ABOUT THE LUTZIE 43 FOUNDATION:

The Lutzie 43 Foundation aims to encourage and empower people to be positive ambassadors for safe driving through character development, mentorship and real-world application. 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 BANKS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

The Banks County School System focuses on lifelong learning and personal growth, responsible citizenship, and maximizing individual potential. We strive to develop positive attitudes, provide necessary resources for learning, and improve student achievement. Our vision, "Educating and Empowering for Success," reflects our dedication to preparing students for future successes and challenges. More information can be found online at https://bchs.banks.k12.ga.us/.

SOURCE Lutzie 43 Foundation