Ending distracted driving is everyone’s responsibility. April marks National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The National Safety Council celebrates National Distracted Driving Awareness Month to help make our roadways and our people safer. Even though traffic has dropped since the COVID-19 pandemic, motor vehicle deaths in 2020 are estimated to be the highest in 13 years. The NSC and the Lutzie 43 Foundation focus efforts and initiatives towards educating and bringing awareness to distracted and impaired driving. For the Lutzie 43 Foundation, our story begins with Philip Lutzenkirchen. His legacy is the inspiration for how our foundation works each day to make a difference. 

Philip Lutzenkirchen was a student-athlete both at Lassiter High School and Auburn University, yet his impact on the world went far beyond football. He was a loving son, brother, and friend. He was kind, generous and someone who went out of his way to help others. On June 29, 2014, Philip was a passenger in a motor vehicle accident, there were three other in the car and only the front passenger fastened his seatbelt. Philip and the other rear passenger were not wearing their seatbelts and were thrown from the car. Philip landed fifteen feet from the car’s final stopping position. Philip was killed instantly. He was just 23 years old. Though Philip has departed from us in this world, his legacy will never be forgotten.

The Lutzie 43 Foundation is dedicated to inspiring people to make better decisions as drivers and friends, using Philip’s life and legacy to inspire change. The foundation exists to reduce the number of distracted driving incidents, ultimately diminishing the number of deaths caused by unsafe driving. The foundation fulfills this mission by encouraging and empowering young people to be positive ambassadors for safe driving, carried out through our 43 Key Seconds initiative. 

Pledge to be a safe driver this April, by signing our 43 Key Seconds pledge. You can also purchase a 43 Key Seconds key to hold you accountable behind the wheel. Here are some tips to use for yourself and to tell your friends and family when getting behind the wheel this month:

• Ensure you have a clear head- one that is not affected by alcohol, drugs, emotions or fatigue.
• Have clear hands- send a text, adjust the radio and put all devices away so you can drive hands-free
• Set your sights on the road ahead. Do not look to the side at a passenger or down at a text.
• Finally, click your seatbelt. It’s the law and could save your life!