Lutzie 43 Foundation Hosts Southeast Tennessee Roadway Safety Summit to Promote Safe Driving

Lutzie 43 Foundation Holds Roadway Safety Summit in Chattanooga

The Lutzie 43 Foundation is set to hold the Southeast Tennessee Roadway Safety Summit on December 17 at Chattanooga State Community College, gathering influential leaders dedicated to improving roadway safety. This exciting initiative aims to engage key stakeholders such as local government officials, health professionals, and the trucking industry with a unified goal of raising awareness about safe driving practices among young drivers.

Under the sponsorship of Kia of Chattanooga and Kia of Cleveland, the event will open its doors to various stakeholders including Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, representatives from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), law enforcement agencies, first responders, and trauma care professionals. Doug Smith, the Director of Development for the Lutzie 43 Foundation, expressed the essence of the summit, stating, "Partnering with Tennessee's roadway safety leaders and local communities is how real change happens."

The summit’s focus aligns with the foundation's mission to promote safe driving through education, particularly among high school students. This initiative has already seen success with over 23,000 students participating in Safe Driving Summits since their inception in 2022. Attendees will partake in interactive breakout sessions led by professionals from various fields, emphasizing the serious consequences of reckless driving behaviors.

The keynote address will be delivered by Jeff Gadd of the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, who will share his extensive experience as a crash investigator, highlighting the importance of understanding commercial vehicle dynamics in preventing accidents. "Our mission is to keep Tennessee roads safe, and that starts with education," Gadd remarked, stressing the summit's role in connecting directly with young drivers and community leaders to promote responsible driving choices.

The Lutzie 43 Foundation was formed in memory of Philip Lutzenkirchen, a former Auburn University football player whose life was tragically cut short due to a vehicle accident caused by distracted driving. By sharing Philip's story through the 43 Key Seconds Safe Driving Initiative, the foundation strives to inspire young drivers to make educated and wise decisions behind the wheel.

According to Executive Director Mike Lutzenkirchen, the organization aims to facilitate Safe Driving Summits at various high schools to inspire safer driving habits across Tennessee. Each summit not only educates students but also fosters a spirit of community collaboration necessary to combat the pressing issues related to distracted and unsafe driving.

The Southeast Tennessee Roadway Safety Summit is scheduled to take place from 8:45 AM to 1 PM on December 17 at Chattanooga State Community College, located at 4501 Amnicola Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37406. The event promises to be a pivotal occasion for advocacy, education, and community engagement aimed at transforming the driving culture in the region.

As the foundation continues its mission of nurturing safe driving practices, the motto "Live like Lutz, Love like Lutz, and Learn from Lutz" serves as a guiding principle, encouraging everyone involved to embody Philip’s legacy while learning from the tragic events that occurred. For further details about the Lutzie 43 Foundation or the upcoming summit, visit lutzie43.org.