Glascock County Consolidated School students who attend an upcoming Safe Driving Summit will learn about the dangers of distracted, impaired and unsafe driving from real-world crash and survivor cases intended to help young drivers make better decisions that can save lives.

The summit will be held Aug. 29 at the high school, 1230 Panther Way in Gibson, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program begins at 9 a.m. It is not open to the public, but the media are invited.

This will be the first Safe Driving Summit of the 2024-2025 school year for the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) and the Lutzie 43 Foundation. Executive Director Mike Lutzenkirchen started the Foundation after the death of his son, Philip, who was a backseat passenger in a distracted and impaired driving crash in 2014. His number was 43 when he played football at Auburn University.

“We hope that the Safe Driving Summits continue to bring awareness to local communities throughout the state to help lower the number of crashes and fatalities happening on Georgia roadways," said Sam Harris, Georgia DOT State Safety Engineering Manager. "We’re looking forward to hosting the first Safe Driving Summit of 2025 to help educate the students at Glascock County Consolidated School about the dangers of unsafe driving behaviors behind the wheel and as a passenger while in the vehicle. Education and behavioral changes can lead to safer roads for all.” 

The students expected to attend the opening keynote of the summit will hear from Dan Snipes, who represents the 12th Congressional District, Georgia DOT safety specialists and Lutzenkirchen. Jacee Thomas, who survived a train vs car collision when she was 17, will also take the stage during the afternoon for a question-and-answer session with students in attendance. Jacee and her mother, Beth Ann Thomas, will talk about Jacee’s ongoing recovery after the 2016 crash and the impact it has had on their family.

The opening assembly will be followed by smaller group breakout sessions. Emergency first responders, local and state law enforcement officers, emergency room/trauma doctors and nurses and trucking industry members will share their experiences with the consequences of distracted, impaired and unsafe driving.

“One of the primary goals of the Safe Driving Summits is sharing the importance of wearing a seatbelt, following the posted speed limit and taking personal responsibility for driving actions on the roads and looking out for others in the process. Of the 1,667 people that died on Georgia’s roads in 2023, 62% of victims were not wearing their seatbelt or usage couldn’t be determined,” Georgia DOT’s Harris said.

Participation in Safe Driving Summits continues Georgia DOT’s mission to educate drivers about simple changes that can improve safety and save lives. Georgia DOT launched its Drive Alert Arrive Alive safety campaign in 2015 to encourage drivers to buckle up, stay off the phone, drive without distractions and follow the posted speed limits. 

Georgia DOT partnered with the Lutzie 43 Foundation in 2021. The Foundation aims to encourage and empower drivers to be positive ambassadors for safe driving through character development, mentorship, and real-world application. Its 43 Key Seconds safe driving initiative seeks to create the first nationally recognized symbol for distracted, impaired and unsafe driving awareness and prevention. It’s a tangible reminder for drivers to take 43 Key Seconds to ensure they have a clear head, clear hands, and clear eyes, and that they click their seatbelt before starting a vehicle. Students who attend the summit will receive 43 Key Seconds keys provided by Georgia DOT and the Foundation. For more information, visit www.lutzie43.org.

Since safety is Georgia DOTs number one priority, there are additional resources available for school systems throughout Georgia. The newest resource Keep Georgia Safe builds off of a previous program that placed materials directly into the hands of educators. The new program created in 2024 by Georgia DOT is in partnership with We Are Teachers. The program is a free K-12 Car and Road Safety Program from Georgia Department of Transportation. Included in the program are road safety videos, interactive games including a virtual fieldtrip and an online virtual road safety game, eight Kahoot activities, games and projects, a classroom journal and activity book for 3rd - 5th grades, lesson plans and posters for use in the classroom. Year two curriculum will be in classrooms and available for download in the fall. For more information about additional safety resources available and other helpful resources, visit Georgia Highway Safety Standards & Compliance - GDOT (ga.gov).