MONTGOMERY – The Lutzie 43 Foundation is partnering with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) to co-promote the foundation’s 43 Key Seconds initiative. The initiative aims to create the first nationally recognized symbol for distracted and impaired driving awareness and prevention. The goal of the 43 Key Seconds initiative is to prevent crashes and fatalities caused by distracted and impaired driving, by providing drivers with a physical reminder to stop and prioritize safety behind the wheel. This is accomplished through the 43 Key Seconds key, which drivers keep in their cars as a reminder to complete the safe driving checklist: clear head, clear hands, clear eyes and click it.
ALEA’s Secretary of Law Enforcement Hal Taylor is pleased to participate in sharing this powerful message.
“We at ALEA rely on a variety of tools to prevent traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities, particularly when reaching Alabama’s most inexperienced drivers,” Secretary Taylor said. “Who knows how many lives will be saved as our Troopers and Driver License Examiners help to distribute 43 Key Seconds keys?”
The dangers of distracted and impaired driving are evident each day. ALEA is an important stakeholder in spreading the 43 Key Seconds message to Alabama motorists at a moment critical to making a difference. Additionally, the 43 Key Seconds initiative aligns with one of ALEA’s primary goals: to reach young, inexperienced drivers and promote safe driving habits. Through the partnership, ALEA will support the distribution of a co-branded ALEA and 43 Key Seconds key in the state of Alabama through three primary touch points:
- Alabama Driver License Examining Offices (targeting new teen drivers)
- ALEA safe driving events (targeting high school students)
- Trooper contacts (Troopers to have discretion to hand out the key, lanyard and countdown card to citizens during traffic contacts)
“The Lutzie 43 Foundation started the 43 Key Seconds initiative in memory of my son, who lost his life in a car accident caused by completely preventable circumstances,” said Mike Lutzenkirchen, Executive Director of the Lutzie 43 Foundation. “We’re honored to partner with ALEA as we work together to create change in the way Alabama drivers behave on the roads. I strongly believe our key can become the nationally recognized symbol for safe driving and serve as a constant reminder for drivers to prioritize safety when they get behind the wheel.”
The Lutzie 43 Foundation launched the 43 Key Seconds campaign in October of 2018 after benefiting from a grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. The campaign aims to create change in memory of Mike Lutzenkirchen’s son Philip Lutzenkirchen, former Auburn University football student-athlete (2009-2012) who lost his life as a passenger in a car accident that involved both distracted and impaired driving.
The 43 Key Seconds initiative has been supported by prominent names in athletics, including Gus Malzahn, Dabo Swinney, Nick Saban, Cody Parkey, and more. Additionally, the Lutzie 43 Foundation has partnered with high schools, colleges, corporations, associations, law enforcement and government entities to create change among students, employees and in communities.
The partnership between the Lutzie 43 Foundation and ALEA in support of the 43 Key Seconds initiative is timely in that April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The partnership coincides with the foundation’s campaign to raise awareness and change the narrative in the number of avoidable crashes and fatalities due to the crisis of distracted and impaired driving. The campaign is the beginning of a larger, nationwide 43 Key Seconds campaign.
ABOUT LUTZIE 43 FOUNDATION:
The Lutzie 43 Foundation aims to encourage and empower young 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 initiate aims to create the first nationally-recognized symbol for distracted and impaired driving awareness and prevention. The Foundation’s motto for youth 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.
