Steve Yzerman of Hockey Hall of Fame Partnering with Kiefer Foundation to End Distracted Driving

PLYMOUTH, Mich., Oct. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Steve Yzerman of the Hockey Hall of Fame is partnering with the Kiefer Foundation to end distracted driving. Yzerman recorded a PSA produced by Woodward Original, urging individuals to put their phone "on ice."

"Distracted driving is the largest killer of young people, ages 18-29," said Yzerman. "In fact, 10 people die every day in distracted driving accidents."

The Kiefer Foundation was founded in 2016 after the tragic death of Mitchel Kiefer, 18, in a distracted driving accident. Mitchel was on his way back to Michigan State University when he was rear-ended by a distracted driver, forcing him into oncoming traffic.

"It is individuals like Steve Yzerman and other influencers who are helping us get the word out that distracted driving is a horrible epidemic," said foundation Chairman Steve Kiefer. "We will not stop advocating until we stop this preventable killer."

The Kiefer Foundation has made a number of strides in this initiative already. The foundation, along with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), announced Sept. 19 a second 1.3-mile stretch of protective cable guardrail to be constructed on I-96 as part of their partnership to improve safety on Michigan highways using protective cable median barrier.

"We are thrilled to partner with MDOT on this important project," said Steve Kiefer. "We initially thought our original cable guard rail project would be a ceremonious tribute to Mitchel, but six vehicles have struck that rail since it was installed in October 2017."

"That's at least six families who won't have to experience what we are going through."

Construction of the second guard rail project, which began mid-September, will be complete mid-October.

SOURCE Kiefer Foundation