Kiefer Foundation works to end distracted driving

<p>Texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing. </p><p>Using a cell phone while driving creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. In 2018 alone, more than 2,800 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.</p><p>On September 19th, 2016, MSU freshman Mitchel Kiefer was tragically killed in an auto accident caused by a distracted driver on I-96 on Mitchel's way to the MSU campus. Steve Kiefer is Mitchel's father. Steve earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University, and he is a member of the <a href="https://www.egr.msu.edu/alumni/alumni-board">Michigan State University College of Engineering Alumni Association Advisory Board</a>. He's GM's key executive at Michigan State University and is a member of GM's senior leadership team. He is senior vice president and president of General Motors, South America and International Operations, meaning he's responsible for GM operations outside of North America and China.</p><p>Soon after Mitchel's death, Steve founded <a href="http://mkiefer.org">The Kiefer Foundation</a> to honor Mitchel's legacy. The mission of <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/kieferfoundation">The Kiefer Foundation</a> is to end distracted driving and all associated traffic deaths and injuries. The foundation focuses on three pillars to support its mission, awareness, technology and policy. Within each of these pillars are specific goals they hope to achieve and initiatives in which they hope to get involved. They've already made some progress, but still have a long way to go.</p><p>“Until something like this happens to you personally, I don't think peop