By Doug Smith, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Lutzie 43 Foundation
Coming back from vacation always gives me a chance to slow down and reflect. This year, as I look back on 2025 and my time with the Lutzie 43 Foundation, one thing stands out more than anything else: the conversations I’ve had with people at events across the country and the research I’ve done on how companies choose to give back.
I’ve spent a lot of time visiting corporate websites, scrolling through social media posts, and studying the philanthropic priorities that companies proudly share. I’ve also thought about my own experience working in corporate roles, where giving and volunteerism were strongly encouraged. We supported incredible organizations like the United Way, the American Heart Association, Susan G. Komen, and many others. These are meaningful causes that absolutely change lives—and I would never suggest replacing or abandoning them.
My reflection this year led me to one simple question: Why isn’t roadway safety part of the conversation?
The Most Dangerous Thing We All Do Every Day
Every day, millions of employees—including yours and mine—drive to and from work. We do it without thinking. But the truth is, driving is the most dangerous activity we do daily.
Yet when I look at corporate giving priorities, roadway safety is almost never included—despite the fact that crashes remain a leading cause of injury and death. An example a friend of mine, Pam O’Donnell, shared during a keynote presentation at the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) conference this year… “If 35,000 plus people die each year from anything else, we would call it an epidemic and take immediate and massive action to correct it, NOW!”
Companies invest billions in health, wellness, education, and community programs. These investments matter. But the activity that places employees at the highest risk—driving—often goes unaddressed.
Imagine the Impact
What if we made roadway safety a shared priority? The ripple effect could be massive:
- Lives saved—employees, families, friends, and neighbors.
- Fewer injuries—reducing the emotional and financial toll on people and communities.
- Lower healthcare and insurance costs—fewer claims and long-term medical expenses.
- Higher productivity and morale—tragedies disrupt teams and impact mental health.
- A stronger corporate reputation—showing genuine commitment to employee and public safety.
My Challenge to You for 2026
Starting February 1, 2026, I’m asking Corporate America to take a bold step:
Invest just 0.1%, 0.5%, 1% of your annual revenue into organizations focused on roadway safety.
This isn’t charity. This isn’t a “nice to have.”
This is strategic, high‑impact philanthropy—with measurable, data point results that are human lives in the very communities where your employees live, work, and play.
Be an Early Adopter
Don’t wait to see who moves first.
Historically, across any movement, early adopters:
- Set the standard.
- Inspire others.
- Show what true leadership looks like.
- Drive real change while others are still watching from the sidelines.
If your company, enterprise, or organization is looking for a way to make a unique, meaningful, life‑saving impact, this is it.
We’re Ready to Help You Get Started
The team at the Lutzie 43 Foundation and I would be honored to come speak with you and your corporate, philanthropic leadership about:
- Specific opportunities to support roadway safety
- Ways to get involved at the local level
- Programs that directly impact the communities where your employees’ families live, work, and play
- How to integrate roadway safety into existing giving, volunteerism, and social responsibility initiatives
We’ll work with you to find the best fit for your mission, values, culture, and footprint.
Why Now?
Roadway fatalities across our great nation remain far too high, approximately 36,000 in 2025. Distracted, impaired, and unsafe driving behaviors continue to take lives every day. And companies—your companies—have the influence, resources, and reach to help change this.
Roadway safety isn’t someone else’s problem. It’s OUR problem. Your employees, my employees, all of our families—they use the same roads.
Together, we can make them safer.
Your Call to Action
If you’re a corporate leader, ask yourself: What would it take for your company to commit to this challenge in 2026?
Let’s talk. Let’s partner. Let’s lead.
Comment below or reach out—I would love to collaborate with you and help make this vision a reality.
Sincerely,
Doug