The Lutzie 43 Foundation in partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT), hosted the inaugural Safe Driving Summit presented by Southwire in Carrollton, Georgia at the University of West Georgia.

The two-year partnership works to promote the Lutzie 43 Foundation’s 43 Key Seconds safe driving initiative and Georgia DOT’s Drive Alert Arrive Alive campaign to reduce the number of crashes and fatalities in Georgia caused by unsafe, distracted and impaired driving. The partnership takes a three-pronged approach: communications via digital sign messaging and awareness campaigns; collateral via distribution of 43 Key Seconds keys through GDOT HERO and CHAMP programs; and events through Safe Driving Summits.

Over 250 high school students attended the Carrollton Safe Driving Summit on March 30 where they learned of the dangers of unsafe, distracted, and impaired driving. The day began with a keynote presentation led by Mike Lutzenkirchen to express why the Lutzie 43 Foundation exists and how distracted, impaired, and unsafe driving led to the loss of his son, Philip Lutzenkirchen. At the conclusion of Mike’s presentation, students then spent the day attending four breakout sessions led by leaders in the safe driving community.

One of the four breakout sessions was Choices Behind the Wheel: To the ER and Beyond, presented by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and WellStar Health System. Students experienced all the steps medical personnel take to save the lives of teens after a car crash. Students experienced a real-life emergency room trauma simulation during this breakout session. They saw what it is like being airlifted to the hospital, they heard the calls the medical team is making to the trauma room and saw the medical tools and equipment a trauma team would use in those situations.  Hearing and seeing this firsthand helped young drivers see beyond the crash and the potential severity of not wearing a seatbelt.

The Share the Road: Get to know Big Trucks breakout session, presented by J & M Tank Lines, Inc. and American Trucking Associations allowed students to get up close with two tractor-trailers. The American Trucking Associations’ America’s Road Team Captains, in partnership with J&M Tank Lines; led small groups of students on how to safely share the road with tractor-trailers. Students learned about stopping distances, blind spots, passing, general safety, and distractions when it comes to driving with these large vehicles. Students had the opportunity to tour the Share the Road’s and J&M Tank Lines’ tractor-trailers, climb in the cab of the truck to see what professional truck drivers see, as well as what operations they go through.

The Georgia State Police, Carroll County Sheriff and Carrollton Police Department led the third breakout session, Knowing Your Law Enforcement Agencies; State, County and City. Students heard from law enforcement officers from state, county and city agencies. A representative from each agency spoke about their role, responsibilities and geographical coverage of their agency. Representatives included a state trooper, county sheriff and city officer and students learned how these agencies work together and what they have observed with teen drivers across the state as well as advice and tips they can use in the car to protect themselves and other drivers. The officers provided students with an interactive session that allowed students to know the officers on the road.

The final breakout session was led by State Farm Insurance Companies; Insurance 101. Local State Farm representatives shared the importance of car insurance and why teen drivers and their families need it. Students learned how insurance protects their families, especially in the case of a vehicular crash. The representatives shared the potential costs associated with a crash related to insurance and the impact that has made on families.

After attending these four breakout sessions, students left with tools to make better decisions behind the wheel while hearing from leaders across the safe driving community. They went through hands-on simulations and real-life scenarios to understand the importance of driving hands-free and unimpaired. Students heard stories that they can share with their friends, family, and community to help ensure roads are safe and become positive ambassadors for safe driving.

To see a full recap of the inaugural Safe Driving Summit, watch the recap video below! Interested in learning more about future Safe Driving Summits and partnering with us? Contact us!