Community Leaders Highlight the Dangers of Distracted, Impaired and Unsafe Driving
ATLANTA — September 30, 2026 — The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) and the Lutzie 43 Foundation are partnering to host a Safe Driving Summit on Thursday, October 8, 2026, for Calera High School students. 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 Shelby County students.
“The Safe Driving Summit, a partnership between ALDOT and the Lutzie 43 Foundation, contains critical tools in keeping young drivers safe in the state of Alabama,” said Dalton Middleton, Drive Safe Alabama coordinator with ALDOT. “Nearly 10 percent of crashes in the state of Alabama in 2025 involved a driver aged 16-20 years old while Shelby County had over 6,000 crashes and 19 fatalities last year.”
The Safe Driving Summit begins with a keynote address from Lutzie 43 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 the causes and the impacts of a crash: at the scene from first and last responders including the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Calera Police Department, and in the trauma bay and during the recovery process with trauma & rehabilitation specialists from University of Alabama Birmingham Medicine. These specialists take them through what happens in the trauma bay after drivers or passengers are injured and rehabilitation providers share what happens during longer-term recovery. Students will also step inside an 80,000-pound tractor trailer to experience a truck driver’s perspective. Presented by FedEx Freight and Greenbush Logistics, 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 wanted to bring the Safe Driving Summit to Calera High School because the choices our students make behind the wheel can have lifelong consequences,” says Principal Jennifer McCaleb. “Our hope is that this experience gives them the knowledge and perspective to make safe, responsible decisions not just for themselves, but for every person who shares the road with them.”
The Safe Driving Summit will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, at Calera High School, 100 Calera Eagle Drive, Calera, AL 35040.
ABOUT ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: T
he Alabama Department of Transportation mission is to provide a safe, efficient, environmentally and economically sound transportation network across Alabama. For further information, visit www.dot.state.al.us and ALDOTnews.com.
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 CALERA HIGH SCHOOL
Calera High School, home of the Eagles, is committed to providing students with a supportive, challenging, and engaging educational experience that prepares them for success beyond high school. Serving the Calera community as part of Shelby County Schools, CHS is grounded in a proud tradition of academic excellence, strong relationships, character, leadership, and community. More information about Calera High School can be found online at https://www.shelbyed.k12.al.us/o/cahs.