National organization focused on driver safety to bring powerful message designed to end distracted, impaired and unsafe driving.

Philip Lutzenkirchen

43 Key Seconds

43 Key Seconds is a life-saving safety initiative by the Lutzie 43 Foundation, created in memory of former Auburn tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen.

What Is It?

The program encourages drivers to take 43 seconds before starting their vehicle to mentally commit to making safe and smart decisions behind the wheel.

Checklist for Drivers

• Put away distractions, especially your phone
• Buckle your seatbelt
• Make sure all passengers are buckled
• Check your emotional state and focus
• Commit to drive sober
• Be mindful of other drivers

Why 43 Seconds?

43 was Philip Lutzenkirchen’s jersey number at Auburn. Taking just 43 seconds can make all the difference — saving your life or someone else’s.

The 43 Key

The Foundation distributes physical "43 Key Seconds" key tags to serve as visual reminders on your keychain — helping reinforce safe decision-making each time you drive.

Where It's Used

• High schools and colleges
• Driver's ed programs
• Sports teams
• Community safety campaigns

To learn more or to order key tags, visit the official website: lutzie43.org/43-key-seconds

ATLANTA, Aug. 26, 2025 -- The Lutzie 43 Foundation, in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT), will host a Safe Driving Summit at Stephens County High School in Toccoa, Georgia on August 28. This marks the second consecutive year that the school has invited the foundation to deliver this impactful event. As always, the summit aims to educate local high school students about the critical importance of making safe driving choices by sharing stories and lessons from real-world incidents and introducing students to the 43 Key Seconds safe driving initiative and 43 Key Seconds checklist.

Last year, the Stephens County event came about due to the interest of Jenna Boyd, Trauma Community Outreach, Injury Prevention & Recovery Coordinator for North Georgia Medical Center, who learned about the successful impacts of the Safe Driving Summits in other areas of the state. This year, Stephens County High School Principal Jessica Simmons picked up the phone to invite the Safe Driving Summit team back to the school.

"As educators, our responsibility goes beyond the classroom. We want to prepare students for life," said Simpson. "By re-exposing the 43 Key Seconds safe driving initiative to our young drivers for the second year in a row, we are equipping them with knowledge and tools that can truly save lives."

The event will feature a keynote address from Lutzie 43 Executive Director Mike Lutzenkirchen, who will share the personal story of his son Philip's tragic death due to a distracted and impaired driving crash in 2014. Additionally, student attendees will hear from medical experts, public safety specialists, Georgia DOT officials and professional truck drivers.

"Inviting us back for a second consecutive year shows the true commitment of Stephens County to protecting young drivers," said Lutzenkirchen. "By hosting this event again, the community is sending a strong message that they believe the 43 Key Seconds safe driving initiative is helping to end distracted, impaired and unsafe driving, and we couldn't be prouder of that."

The structure of the event will remain the same, where high school students will participate in interactive breakout sessions led by first responders, law enforcement officers, trauma and rehab care professionals and representatives from the trucking industry. These sessions will offer firsthand insights into the devastating consequences of unsafe driving behaviors and equip students with practical strategies to avoid such outcomes.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Stephens County High School.

ABOUT 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 vehicle crash 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 lutzie43.org.

SOURCE Lutzie 43 Foundation